The Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), a body campaigning for implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 across the State, has demanded holding of a discussion on the FRA implementation issues in the district Collectors’ meeting to be held here on June 17 and 18.
Member of the body contended that role of Collectors as the Chairman of the FRA District level Committee (DlC) is very crucial in the overall implementation of the FRA in the districts.
Even the frequent transfers of district collectors have also badly affected the process of FRA implementation in many districts.
The CSD suggested that the Collectors should discuss on the other important FRA implementation issues like ensuring FRA Gram Sabha and availability of its documents at village level, demarcation of around 85 per cent forest land recognised under Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and correction of Record of Rights accordingly, identification of all forest and un-surveyed habitations and convert them into revenue villages as per the FRA, review of all pending and rejected IFR claims of STs and OTFDs, etc.
CSD also urged the Collectors to monitor violation of forest rights due to plantation by the Forest Department over individually-occupied forest lands by tribals and forest dwellers with the arrival of monsoon season and to stop eviction prior to recognition of forest rights.