Forest dwellers in Himachal’s Kangra district soon to get rights under FRA

The district’s forest dwellers have filed 81 individual and 43 community rights claims so far

Indian Forest Act: What the proposed amendment entails

The government is all set to amend the colonial Indian Forest Act, and make it more biased against forest dwellers

These 2 Odisha villages wrangle over forest land, but maintain harmony

The people of Tilabadi and Mittukuli share their resources, welcome guests and celebrate festivals together despite claiming a chunk of land …

What is India’s definition of forests? Sunita Narain in conversation with MD Madhusudan

An in-depth analysis done by Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, has found that India cannot account for …

Targeting of indigenous people fighting for forest rights in India is a fact, say experts

As a new report reveals a rise in the number of indigenous activists being killed for defending forest and land rights worldwide, Down To Earth …

Hunger strike for FRA implementation continues in Chhattisgarh; state yet to respond

Government has given land under the Individual Forest Rights titles, which is way less than what people originally occupied

Balancing rights and responsibilities: community-based forest governance in Maharashtra

A small village in eastern Maharashtra sets an example of managing community forest resource in a sustainable way

Himachal Pradesh forest staff to be equipped with arms to curb smuggling

The personnel posted in the checkposts in these areas can carry pistols, guns, revolvers or rifles to check illegal felling and smuggling of trees

Forestry convention: lair in the woods

Dense cover-up

What's the purpose of the State of Forest Report 2003 ?

Woman power

When the men of Dengajhari failed, women took up arms to protect their forests

India’s ‘missing’ forests: DTE analysis exposes big gap in latest national forest survey estimates

According to a DTE analysis, there are states where over 30-50 per cent of the land classified as forests is ‘missing’ from the …

ACT AMENDED

Madhya Pradesh forest department violates FRA, seizes tendu leaves from tribals

The leaves were reportedly confiscated as the women were selling them to buyers other than the forest department

Rajya Sabha passes Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill amid confusion, concerns

Rights to recognise forest land and register it to lie with the state government, clarifies environment minister

Forest Act amendments will dilute rights of indigenous groups in Himalayas: Activists

The bill is expected to be tabled for clearance during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament

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.

UP forest dept cites stayed SC order for eviction

Although activists and forest dwellers could resist this attempt, the notice that came a day after still didn’t have any mention of the stay

Roundtable: Is Bamboo a Minor Forest Produce?

The MFP roundtable participants discuss what constitutes a minor forest produce and whether bamboo fits its definition.   Read Sunita …

Maharashtra gives reserved forests status to mangroves

Mangroves on privately owned land are not a part of this notification

People's interest in forests is sacrosanct

Lone crusader

At personal risk, an unlettered farmer vows to stick to his forest protection programme

Sulia takes charge

Participatory management brings forests back

Odisha to procure sal seeds from 9 districts; tribals say it’s too late

Several tribal people, mainly seed collectors, will be deprived of the procurement scheme, as the corporation will not collect from other districts

Forest losses occur primarily in lower-income tropical countries: Study

Tropical countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo are losing forests quickly