Odisha is aiming for a full rollout of Forest Rights Act

• While many States are nowhere near completing implementation of FRA, Odisha is aiming for full rollout by 2024.

Key Highlights

• Odisha is the first State to make budgetary provision for implementation of the Central Act.
• Till last year, forest rights committees were functioning in Tribal Sub Plan areas.
• Now, they have been extended to the entire State.
• State is ensuring tenurial security and entitlement over land and addressing livelihood and food security.

Nodal agency

• ST and SC Development Department is the nodal agency for Act’s implementation.
• Forest rights cells would function from State to the tehsil level.
• District-level nodal officers, civil society organizations, Panchayati Raj Institution members, revenue inspectors and local youth will work for faster implementation of the Act.
• State government has set up a dedicated project management unit for FRA implementation.

Habitat Rights

• Granting of habitat rights to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) have been approved by gram sabhas.
• Of 13 PVTGs identified in Odisha, habitat rights are being processed for 11 groups.
• Lodhas and Lanjia Sauras tribe, who do not believe in the concept of habitat, could apply for individual forest rights.

Conclusion

• FRA implementation remained static in almost all States except few states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh in past year.
• Odisha’s new push could close the gap in the months ahead.

Prelims Take Away

• PVGTs
• FRA
• Gram Sabha
• Panchayats
• Lodhas Tribe
• Lanjia Sauras tribe