Daily Current Affairs : 5-July-2023
The Odisha government recently unveiled a new scheme aimed at strengthening forest rights among tribals and forest dwellers across the state’s districts. This essay will explore the key aspects of the scheme, its objectives, and its significance in the context of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
Understanding the Scheme
The scheme, designed to function parallelly with the FRA, seeks to bridge the gaps and address critical issues that have not been adequately targeted in the central scheme over the past 15 years. Here are the key points to consider:
- Recognizing Community Forest Rights: If implemented, Odisha would become the first state in India to recognize community forest rights in addition to the individual rights offered by the central government. This recognition is vital in safeguarding the interests and livelihoods of tribal communities and forest dwellers.
- Ensuring Livelihood and Food Security: The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure livelihood and food security for the Scheduled Tribes and forest-dwelling populations. By granting ownership of land and access to forest resources, the scheme aims to empower beneficiaries and integrate them into mainstream development programs.
- Equal Focus on Community Rights: While the central scheme primarily recognizes individual forest rights, the Odisha scheme extends its benefits to community rights and community forest rights (CFR). This inclusivity addresses a crucial gap in the existing framework.
Key Features and Benefits
To understand the impact of the scheme, let’s delve into its key features and benefits:
- Land Titles and Record Corrections: Under the scheme, all eligible claimants, particularly single women and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), will receive land titles. Additionally, record corrections will be made for all title holders to ensure accurate documentation and legal recognition of their rights.
- Development of Revenue Villages: Unsurveyed, forested, and zero area villages will be transformed into revenue villages, granting all households access to essential services such as water supplies, road connectivity, schools, and healthcare. This development initiative aims to uplift marginalized communities and improve their quality of life.
- Establishment of Forest Rights Cells: To ensure effective implementation and monitoring, Forest Rights Cells will be established across the districts. These cells will be responsible for periodic assessments, monitoring the progress of the scheme, and facilitating regular reviews to address any challenges or shortcomings.
Understanding the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
To comprehend the context in which this scheme operates, it is essential to grasp the key provisions of the Forest Rights Act:
- Recognition of Traditional Forest Dwellers’ Rights: The FRA, 2006 acknowledges the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to access and use forest resources in a manner they have traditionally been accustomed to. This recognition aims to safeguard their cultural and economic interests.
- Protection against Unlawful Evictions: The Act also offers protection to forest dwellers, preventing their unlawful eviction from forest areas. This provision plays a crucial role in safeguarding their homes and ensuring their socio-economic stability.
- Provision of Basic Development Facilities: In addition to recognizing their rights, the Act emphasizes providing basic development facilities such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and infrastructure to forest-dwelling communities. This provision aims to uplift their living standards and promote inclusivity.
Important Points:
The Odisha government launched a scheme to strengthen forest rights among tribals and forest dwellers.
The scheme aims to function parallelly with the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.If implemented, Odisha would be the first state in India to recognize community forest rights alongside individual rights.
The scheme addresses critical issues not targeted in the central scheme (FRA) for the past 15 years.
It aims to ensure livelihood and food security for Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers.
The scheme provides ownership of land and access to forest resources to beneficiaries.
It grants land titles to eligible claimants, particularly single women and PVTGs.
Record corrections will be made for all title holders.Unsurveyed, forest, and zero area villages will be transformed into revenue villages.
Forest Rights Cells will be established across districts for assessment, monitoring, and review of the scheme.
The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognizes the rights of forest dwelling tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers.
It allows access and use of forest resources as traditionally accustomed.The Act protects forest dwellers from unlawful evictions.
It provides basic development facilities such as education, health, and infrastructure.
Why In News
The Odisha government took a remarkable step forward by announcing the launch of a comprehensive scheme aimed at bolstering the forest rights of tribals and forest dwellers in all districts of the state. This initiative not only seeks to empower these marginalized communities but also endeavors to safeguard their cultural heritage and promote sustainable conservation practices within the rich forest ecosystems of Odisha.
MCQs about Forest Rights in Odisha
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Which state in India is set to become the first to recognize community forest rights along with individual rights?
A. Maharashtra
B. Odisha
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Rajasthan
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What is the primary objective of the scheme launched by the Odisha government?
A. Promoting tourism in forest areas
B. Strengthening wildlife conservation efforts
C. Ensuring livelihood and food security for tribal and forest-dwelling populations
D. Expanding industrial activities in forest regions
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What will be the role of Forest Rights Cells established under the scheme?
A. Implementing community welfare programs
B. Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations
C. Periodic assessment, monitoring, and review of the scheme
D. Facilitating international collaborations for forest management
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What does the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognize?
A. Rights of industrial organizations to exploit forest resources
B. Rights of urban dwellers to access forest lands for recreational purposes
C. Rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers to forest resources
D. Rights of foreign investors to acquire forest land for commercial purposes
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