Missing the woods: The story of India’s vanishing forests in 20 cards

Some 25.87 million hectares of forest is missing from the latest assessment of India’s green cover. Here are some cards that tell the story

Why this Maharashtra village is fighting for the long forgotten Gramdan Act?

In a society that is moving towards hyper-individualism, the community here takes a collective approach

Empowered local governance key for forest restoration and management, finds study

Tree planting drives alone cannot help address climate crisis and biodiversity loss, it highlights

Community forest resources: Sustainable use, state norms must

No guidelines for gram sabhas to conserve or manage forest areas so far

Taking ownership: How forest-dwellers in Chhattisgarh, Odisha claimed rights over traditional boundary

The recent focus on CFRR under FRA marks a beginning of the second generation use of FRA.

Conservation as tool for assertion: How Banni pastoralists took matters in own hands

The Maldhari community of the area used various sections of forest rights act to regain livelihood options 

Wildlife recall: Manas National Park's experiment with former poachers

Once in the grip of armed insurgency, a national park has lessons in wildlife management

Web-GIS platform created in Chhattisgarh to resolve conflict while filing CFR claims

Creators admit shortcomings in the platform but say they are not final authority on land rights and boundaries

Weak governance escalating deforestation in Tanzania: FAO report

Of the total land area (88.3 mn hectares) in the African country, 55% is under forest cover. According to 2017 estimates, deforestation occurred …

Odisha announces state forest rights scheme to benefit over 7 lakh households

‘Mo Jungle Jami Yojana’ is aimed to effectively implement Forest Rights Act, 2006 in the state

Fight for forest rights: Why these Dhamtari Adivasis gave up over 100 acres of cropland to plant trees

Forest dwellers of Karipani and Budra villages were put through a trial by fire to prove they care about conservation

‘We’re portrayed as Maoists, jailed for protesting’: 18 Gariaband villages refuse to give up fight for forest rights

Villagers derive hope from success story of 4 villages in state’s protected area granted Community Forest Resource Rights August 9, 2022

Can mahua seeds provide Adivasis a reliable livelihood? 

Mahua seed harvesting practices of the tribals are non-invasive & can promote conservation 

Inside ad hoc forests

Government failure, both at the Centre and the states, is hurting communities and forests alike

Tribal ministry panels draft fresh guidelines for community forest, habitat rights

Gram Sabhas may get more power in managing community forest, habitat

Project Lion could displace Maldharis within Gir to create ‘inviolate space’

The proposal seeks to relocate 2,500 families of the community from the Gir protected area within 10 years

In a first, Odisha studies potential forest land under FRA

New estimate offers ‘baseline for planning and effective implementation of forest rights Act recognition’ 

Changes to Forest Conservation Rules dilute forest rights, say tribal communities

Consent from forest dwellers not mandatory for changing land use under new amendments; Activists demand withdrawal

How can India overcome policy and institutional gaps in forest management

We need to recognise the Gram Sabha as empowered by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment 

Kalahandi Gram Sabhas write to NCST, invoke atrocities act against Jharkhand DFO

DFO illegally seized consignment of kendu leaves being transported from Odisha to West Bengal, federation of Gram Sabhas alleges

Global Eco Watch: Ice Age woolly rhino unearthed in Siberia

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

How FRA helped India’s forest communities during COVID-19

Stories of hope have been reported from across the tribal areas of how communities survived due to FRA even as attempts have been made to dilute it

Chhattisgarh village under demolition for Hindalco mine, villagers claim foul play

At least 50 families have been relocated, claims official. A house was razed on June 2  

As told to Parliament (December 22, 2022): Around 60% of India prone to earthquakes

Around 11% of India falls in Zone V, which is the most seismically active 

Empower communities to restore forests: Study

Crucial forest-restoration areas in low-income countries — home to 12 per cent of their total population — can have an impact on …