Taking cognisance of the petition filed before it by Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), Odisha convenor Gopinath Majhi against launching of the Ama Jungle Yojana and the JICA Forestry Project by the Government, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe has served notice to the Chief Secretary (CS) to submit a report within 15 days. The commission in its June 16 order categorically mentioned that, “The commission has decided to investigate/inquiry into the matter in pursuance of the power conferred upon it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India.”
The Commission has further directed the CS to submit the facts and information on the action taken for the protection of tribal and their land to the commission within 15 days of receipt of the notice by post or in person or any other means of communication. It also warned the CS to exercise its power of Civil Courts conferred on it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India.
Notably, on May 24, the CSD had filed the petition and urged to stop promotion of Vana Surakhya Samiti (VSS) through ‘Ama Jungle Yojan’ and ‘JICA Forestry Project’ which are usurping the power of the Gram Sabha and diluting the constitutional rights established under Forest Rights Act 2006. “Instead of promoting VSS through AJY and JICA Project, the Government of Odisha should take more proactive steps towards the proper recognition of CFR rights. Once the Community Forest Resource (CFR) area is recognised, the concern Gram Sabhas will form Forest Protection and Management Committee,” the CSD asserted.