FOREST RIGHT ACTS-A VOICE TO SCHEDULED TRIBES AND FOREST-DWELLING GROUPS

FOREST RIGHT ACTS-A VOICE TO SCHEDULED TRIBES AND FOREST-DWELLING GROUPS

In the present 21st century where on one hand people had cut down the physical confines of the globes, using space ships to travel, computer to work, there are still several people and communities deprived of their rights and excluded or neglected from the society.

Where people are living in the top buildings of the world, using lift & escalator to go upstairs there are people in the same land deprived of their own homes and living in the forests.

In India, the scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers is one of the section still struggling for their livelihood, dignity and democracy. As the government has all the powers over forests and forest dwellers., millions of people living in and near forest lands are still have no legal right over their homes, lands and livelihoods. However the law 'Forest Rights Act' passed in 2006 recognizes those forest dwellers rights and made the conversation more accountable.

Common Property Rights and Land Title Rights are some of the rights passed in order to get the solution to those deprived with lands & properties. Common Property is that which is owned by a group of individuals. The common property owners have the benefit to manage conflicts through shared benefits and enforcement. Whereas Property Rights is the theoretical construct deciding to whom the resource belongs to i.e. individuals, collective bodies or government and how to use it.

All the above mentioned three rights passed by the Indian government are important to decide the survival of many people. But many people are not using it. The deprived section of people are not even aware of these rights. Their illiteracy level and no communication from others lack them in using these rights.

Government in one sense has empowered the scheduled tribes and other forest-dwelling groups by recognizing the act of 2006. Popularly known as 'Forest Rights Act' has given them 3 keys rights1. Legal right to land cultivated before Dec13 2005 in forest areas.

2. Right to use minor forest produce, water bodies and grazing grounds in forest areas.

3. Power to protect wildlife and conserve community

forest resources.

For the same cause and to get those deprived people their rights The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) works in order to support those scheduled tribes and other foreigndwelling groups. With the aim to support effort to claim these rights and entitlements local forest rights committees are strengthened with representation and by providing a voice to those socially excluded groups. PACS was the initiative of the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID).

For more query please visit website :http://www.pacsindia.org/key-themes/sustainablielivelihoods/forest-rights-act or mail at:- query@pacsindia.org PACS National Office CISRS House, 14, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110014. INDIA. Telephone: 091 - 011-24372660, 24372699