Forest Rights Act, 2006 (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act)
The FRA, enacted in 2006, recognises and vests forest rights in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have occupied forest land for generations. It corrects the "historical injustice" done to such communities by colonial and post-colonial forest governance.
- The Gram Sabha is the primary institution empowered to receive, verify, and approve individual and community forest rights claims.
- A 2009 Ministry circular mandates written consent of the Gram Sabha before forest land can be diverted for any project.
- Rights recognised include individual land rights, community forest rights (CFR), and habitat rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- Section 5 enjoins rights-holders to conserve biodiversity, wildlife, and ecologically sensitive areas within their habitats.
● Tracked since April 22, 2026 · last seen June 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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