Category Archives: Forest Rights Act (FRA)

Our forests are ours again. In 2006, the government finally accepted the historical injustice meted out to Adivasis and passed the Forest Rights Act thus recognizing our rights to forests. – Adivasi Munnetra Sangam (photo caption, 2017 calendar)
Though the institution of Forest Rights Act is a policy action on the part of governments, local mobilisation among Tribal population, and non-governmental organisations have played an important role in its effective implementation. This area [the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra] has witnessed different forms of social mobilization under leaders coming from tribal communities. – Prof. V. Santhakumar (Azim Premji University, “It is possible to have a better life for Scheduled Tribes in India!”, 4 May 2018)
The Act makes concrete provisions to allow adivasis to enter the forest and continue using forest produce, on which they have depended for generations [like] the basket that was once woven in bamboo that was collected from the forest is now being replaced by plastic ones bought from the market. – Priyashri Mani (“Home is where the forest is”, Accord Gudalur)