Forests are crucial life-supporting ecosystems, housing a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Beyond providing habitat to various species, forests deliver a range of valuable resources. From purified air to raw materials such as timber, fuelwood, food, fruits, and fodder, the offerings of forests are referred to as forest resources. These resources are pivotal to the survival and livelihoods of numerous people. Forest exploitation occurs due to the demand for these resources which makes their conservation and preservation more critical.
Actions for Forest Conservation
To ensure the protection and careful use of forests, several initiatives have been launched over the years. These include the Indian Forest Act (1927), the Forest Conservation Act (1980), the National Forest Policy (1988), the National Mission for Green India, the National Afforestation Programme, and the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
The Role of Joint Communication
A joint communication signed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change aims to enhance the roles of tribal communities in forest management. This is majorly concerned with the thorough execution of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which strives to improve the living standards of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs).
State forest departments will undertake responsibilities like claims verification for forest rights, mapping of involved forest lands, procuring necessary evidence, authenticating records, conducting joint field inspections, and raising awareness. The objective is to secure tenure for tribal and forest dwelling communities, eliminating their fear of unjust eviction.
The Empowerment of Forest Dwellers
Strategies are being developed to extend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to forest dwellers. The emphasis is also placed on providing skill development programmes and boosting agro-forestry and horticulture projects.
Further, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 recognizes the rights of these communities to sustain their livelihoods within the forest. The introduction of Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) are additional steps taken towards their upliftment.
The Importance of Non-Timber Forest Products
Besides timber, forests produce a wide array of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) or Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins, and numerous forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, honey, lac, tusser, etc. These form a significant part of the forest dwellers’ diet, medicine, and other consumption needs while also acting as sources of income.
Forest Rights Act, 2006
The Act acknowledges the forest rights of FDST and OTFD who have been residing in forests for generations. It allows any member or community, who has resided primarily in forest land for bona fide livelihood needs for at least three generations (75 years) prior to the 13th day of December, 2005, to claim forest rights. This Act bolsters the conservation regime of forests, simultaneously ensuring livelihood and food security for the FDST and OTFD.
Significantly, the Act identifies four kinds of rights: Title rights granting ownership to land farmed by the people; Use rights extending to the extraction of minor forest produce, grazing areas, etc; Relief and development rights guaranteeing rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement; and Forest management rights which include the rights to protect, regenerate, conserve or manage any community forest resource traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use.
