After completion of General elections, the State Government is oiling the government machinery to expedite implementation of its flagship programmes. In the same sequence the government is focusing on ensuring rights to the forest dwellers and tribal population of the State.
A road map has been prepared for settlement of forest lease claims. The responsibilities of all the officers associated with it are also being decided.
Despite the Forest Rights Act, 2006 being very important for the State, till date 15 lakh tribals and other traditional forest-dependent families of the state have not been able to get its benefits.
If the tribals had got forest lease, migration, human trafficking, unemployment and other social, economic and cultural challenges could have been dealt with to a large extent.
The Hemant Soren led government had started the Abua Veer Abua Dishom campaign on 6 November 2013 to speed up the distribution of Forest rights lease of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers in every panchayat of the state. But, due to the changed political developments in the state and the Lok Sabha elections, this campaign could not take off properly.
Now, the Champai Soren led government has prepared a fresh road map for implementation of the campaign, in which the responsibilities of the officials will also be decided, the forest rights lease claims will have to be sent back to the Gram Sabha in a rule-compliant manner, the claims will have to be settled again after correcting the erroneous applications.
In this connection the Department of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority, and Backward Class Welfare will host a pivotal one-day workshop titled ‘Decoding FRA - Justice, Conservation and Challenges’ at Sri Krishna Institute of Public Administration in Ranchi. Organized under the auspices of the Abua Bir Abua Dishom Abhiyan, this workshop aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), with a particular focus on justice, conservation, and the challenges encountered in its implementation.
Chief Minister Champai Soren will be present in the workshop which is designed to facilitate in-depth understanding and interaction of the campaign. In the sessions, participants will examine and reflect upon various cases of rejection under the FRA, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the practical challenges and implications.
This workshop titled "Decoding FRA - Justice, Conservation and Challenges" is pivotal in sensitizing and empowering stakeholders. These stakeholders, often referred to as the actual soldiers for forest rights, include government officials, community leaders, and civil society organizations (CSOs). The role of CSOs is particularly crucial in the effective implementation of the FRA. Notably PHIA Foundation has taken the lead in conceptualizing and designing the campaign in collaboration with the department, advocating at appropriate levels and bringing organizations like the Indian School of Business and FES on board to strengthen these efforts.
To support the FRA's implementation, a dedicated FRA cell has been constituted within the Welfare Department. This cell is responsible for overseeing FRA-related affairs and providing technical support to ensure efficient execution. Additionally, the launch of a dedicated mobile application- JharFRA, and a corresponding website under this campaign underscores the commitment to streamline and enhance the implementation process.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, this workshop aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the FRA, address implementation challenges, and set actionable targets for the future. It represents a significant step towards justice, conservation, and sustainable development for Jharkhand's indigenous and traditional forest-dwelling communities.
