The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), acting upon a petition filed before it by the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), Odisha on December 28, 2015 has directed the Odisha Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Forests to examine the Ama Jungle Yojana (AJY) to ascertain whether it is in any conflict with the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and furnish his comments to the MoTA at the earliest.
The MoTA has further cautioned the State SC and ST Department, “In this regard, the Ministry has been issuing clear-cut directives and guidelines from time to time.” The MoTA has reiterated its earlier stand that Gram Sabha is central to taking any decision on community forest resources (CFR) and wherever FRA is likely to be implemented. The Gram Sabha is to constitute a committee for protection and management of CFR.
After receiving the MoTA’s direction, the State SC and ST Department is reported to have forwarded it to the Special Secretary, Forest & Environment Department on March 14, 2016 to examine the contentious issues as alleged by the CSD and furnish a report for onward transmission to the MoTA
It is to be noted that under the Ama Jungle Yojana the State Government plans to regenerate about 2.6 lakh hectare and create 5,000 hectare of new forest cover in the next six years (2016-17 to 2021-22).
The Forest Department aims to involve 7,000 Vana Suraksha Samitees (VSSs) in 30 Forest and Wildlife Divisions covering 23 districts. The Government plans to divert `521 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) fund for the purpose. To help the Forest Department, 23 NGOs have been selected.
The CSD has filed a petition before the MoTA alleging that the lunching of AJY and promoting VSSs under Joint Forest Management (JFM) is in direct contradiction with the FRA and usurping the Constitutional power of Gram Sabha recognised under the FRA.
According to the CSD, adopting “illegal means” like the AJY to keep its control over forest is the only reason behind the Forest Department not cooperating in recognition of community rights over forest.
Targeting the NGOs involved in the AJY, the CSD said, “These NGOs are money-driven and have lost social and moral responsibility towards tribals and society.”