Forest Rights Act (FRA) and Implementation

The Union government of India has initiated funding for structural mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) established in 2006 to grant forest rights to Scheduled Tribes and forest-dwelling communities.

Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA)

Under the DAJGUA, a Central scheme by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 324 district-level FRA cells have been sanctioned across 18 states and union territories, with state-level FRA cells approved for 17 of these regions.

• The DAJGUA programme, initiated in October 2024, integrates 25 interventions from 17 line ministries for tribal villages' development.
• It aims to expedite the FRA's implementation process.

Operational Guidelines and Concerns

• Guidelines for DAJGUA require FRA cells to assist in the "quick disposal" of pending claims, particularly those stalled after District Level Committees' approval.
• 14.45% of the 51.11 lakh FRA claims across 21 states remain pending, with over 42% of the disposed claims being rejected.
• Highest FRA cells sanctioned in Madhya Pradesh (55), followed by Chhattisgarh (30), Telangana (29), Maharashtra (26), Assam (25), and Jharkhand (24).

Challenges and Experts' Opinions

• Experts express concern over a "parallel FRA mechanism" being created outside the FRA’s scope.
• FRA cells are intended to assist claimants and Gram Sabhas with paperwork and data management without interfering in statutory committee decisions.
• Funding for FRA cells is provided through Grants-in-aid General, with each district-level cell receiving ₹8.67 lakh and each state-level cell ₹25.85 lakh.

Comparison and Criticisms

• Similar mechanisms have been in place in Odisha, although the impact has been mixed due to overlapping responsibilities with statutory FRA committees.
• Critics argue that the real issue is the infrequent meetings of Sub-Divisional and District Level Committees and the Forest departments' delay in processing approved claims.