The recent news has been flooded with stories of tribal protests from villages located in the core areas of the Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve. The protestors demand recognition for their Community Forest Resource rights (CFR). Before diving deeper into the nature of these protests, it is vital to comprehend the basics of CFR rights. These rights are bestowed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).
The Core/Buffer Strategy and Its Impact
The implementation of tiger reserves follows a core/buffer strategy. Simply put, the core areas have legal status similar to a national park or a sanctuary, while the peripheral areas or buffers are a mix of forest and non-forest land managed for multiple uses. This distinction between core and buffer zones plays a significant role in the ongoing unrest.
Provisions Under the Forest Rights Act (FRA)
The FRA of 2006 acknowledges and asserts the rights of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) to inhabit and use the forest land on which they’ve been residing for generations. This act effectively strengthens the forest conservation regime while also ensuring livelihood and food security for the FDST and OTFD. The Gram Sabha, acts as the authority to kick-start the process of determining individual and community forest rights.
Distinction between Individual and Community Rights
Individual rights under this context refer to the rights of self-cultivation and habitation. On the other hand, community rights include grazing rights, fishing and access to water bodies in forests, habitat rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and also the right to protect, regenerate or conserve any community forest resource for sustainable use.
Decoding the Community Forest Resource Rights
The Community Forest Resource Rights are the rights of Adivasis and OTFDs over the customary common forest land within traditional village boundaries or seasonal use of landscape by pastoral communities. They can be recognised over any type of forest land including reserved forests, protected forests, sanctuaries, and national parks.
About the Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve
Established in 2008-09, the Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve is the fusion of two separate reserves (Udanti & Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries). It is located in the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh and homes a diverse range of forest crops, mixed with Sal forests. The key endangered species found in the area is the Asiatic Wild Buffalo. Other rare species include the Indian Wolf, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Mouse Deer. The Sitanadi River originates within the sanctuary and Udanti River covers a major part of the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Other Tiger Reserves in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh houses other tiger reserves as well like the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Indravati Tiger Reserve. Each of these reserves plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity while catering to the rights of local tribes and communities.
Last Modified: February 10, 2024