Challenges Facing Forest Managers in the Aftermath of Forest Rights Act 2006 and Rules (2007) Thereunder

The present Act and Rules seeks to correct the historical injustice done to Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers, by granting them security of tenure over individual and community holdings, ownership of Minor Forest Produce, Nistar and Grazing Rights and adequate safeguards for their rehabilitation, in cases of their displacement from present locations, on account of forestry and other development projects. In addition to granting suitable powers to Gram Sabhas (and other village level Institutions) for inquiry in to Forest Rights and an important say in the above matters, Gram Sabhas have also been given responsibilities for the management of "community forests", sought to be created under the Act, for the welfare of the beneficiaries. In correcting the (so called) historical injustice, the Act and Rules have unleashed several problems arising out of the issues such as, the inequity involved in distribution of forestry usufructs between Beneficiaries and Non-Beneficiaries, over-riding provision of the Act and Rules over existing Forest Acts and several other statutes, inclusion of National Parks and Sanctuaries in its ambit and ban on shifting of Beneficiaries from 'Core Areas', etc. The ingenuity of Forest Managers will be stretched to the limits, not only in grappling with the above problems and for managing the severely truncated and heavily honey combed forests, but also in assisting the beneficiaries, in their social and economic empowerment, as per the mandate provided in the present Act and Rules.