FRA guidelines to help forest dwellers freely trade in minor forest produce

The Union tribal affairs ministry has issued a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring better implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 which gives forest dwellers and tribal people the right to collect and trade in minor forest produce (MFP) like tendu leaves and bamboo. The new guidelines state that forest dwellers no longer need to get transit passes for carrying MFP, including bamboo, outside the forest. The movement of all MFPs should be exempted from the purview of transit rules of state governments, state the guidelines issued on July 12.

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