Conflict between Forest Rights and Forest Conservation

Critics argue that the powers granted to Forest Authorities under Forest Conservation has led to their misuse, thereby resulting in undermining of the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities (recognized in the Forest Rights Act, (FRA) 2006).

Issues

• The Governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh notified the rules for the administration of “village forests” in 2015. The guidelines issued in 2015 allowed private companies to take over patches of forestland for growing tree or bamboo crops, with rights arbitrarily limited to 15% of the leased areas.
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act was passed in 2016. It provided for the spending ....