‘Forest department is the encroacher’

When V Kishore Chandra Deo became the Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs three months ago, both the ministries were in inertia.…

‘Tribals turn extremists because states are too busy making money from land’

The world’s largest democracy is facing a surge in tribal uprisings. The recent killings of Mahendra Karma and other Congress leaders in …

Mizoram revoked FRA due to stoppage of funding from Centre since 2014 

The resolution passed by the state assembly revoking the Act notes that the Union govt declined the state government's demand of Rs 10 lakh to …

Mahua flower comes under minimum support price scheme

Tribal ministry adds 17 new minor forest produce to the government’s minimum support price scheme, increases MSP of some already under the …

Arjun Munda plans Schedule V states' meet on FRA

Conference aims at creating awareness about provisions of Forest Rights Act: Tribal Affairs ministry

47% vacancies reserved for Scheduled Tribes remain unfilled

Minister informs Parliament on number of backlog vacancies, decline in funds for other economic support schemes for STs  

A decade on, only 40% of FRA claims approved

The latest status report of the FRA says most claims were rejected by either gram sabhas or district committees

Tribal affairs ministry constitutes committee on CFR guidelines under FRA

It was doing this as there had been no progress reported by states in recognising habitat rights despite its repeated clarifications

FRA comes to the rescue of people displaced by Salwa Judum

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs decides to conduct a survey of the displaced people who had fled to Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, in order …

What’s worrying about the SC order on FRA?

The Supreme Court’s summary directions in the ongoing writ petition may have been issued without appropriate guidance from govt counsel

Forest Rights Act could play decisive role in LS polls: Report

One-fourth of constituencies in mainland India have FRA implementation as a core issue and can influence winning margins, finds a study

Government files petition seeking stay of SC order on FRA; hearing tomorrow

On February 13, SC had asked state authorities to submit affidavits explaining why evictions, wherever ordered, have not taken place

COVID-19: Minor forest produce scheme can come to tribals’ rescue, say experts

The scheme provides fair price for minor forest produce through minimum support price  

MoTA’s job is FRA, not land diversion: DG Forest

Director General of Forest and Special Secretary at environment ministry says will take up matter with MoTA

Update land records to include FRA titles allotted, MoEF&CC directs states

Activists welcome ministry’s move citing conflict between tribals and officials when land records do not record FRA titles

Ahead of SC hearing on FRA, MoEF asks states to share “encroachment” data

Forest Survey of India requests for geo-referenced locations of encroachments, but many states ill-equipped to do so

MoTA raises objections to environment ministry’s FRA compliance circular

In the circular, the ministry had clarified that FRA compliance certificates would not be required in Stage I of the forest diversion process

Extensive amendment to forest law will dehumanise forests

The proposed amendment comes at a time when forest dwellers’ rights are being threatened even when there is FRA

Forest Rights Act: Are state govts the real land mafias?

State governments want to divert forest land for industrial expansion. That's why they reject claims of forest dwellers

Supreme Court bans tourism in Jarawa reserve

Turns down plea of Andaman administration to allow limited tourism and small government guest houses in buffer zone

In a first, Odisha studies potential forest land under FRA

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

Inter-ministerial committee formed in September to look into FRA implementation

The committee has to meet regularly to come up with suggestions on the way forward regarding the implementation problems of FRA

Environment ministry makes forest rights Act irrelevant in initial stage of forest clearance

Letter from MOEFCC regarding Western Coalfields projects in Maharashtra also shun tribal ministry’s concerns

New CFR guidelines: Experts say regulations can undo India’s progress on forest governance

Rules show governmental unwillingness to embrace tribal diversity and culture, they say   

Panel looking into pastoral communities’ forest rights to visit J&K

The committee was constituted by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs on February 21, 2020