The Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), Odisha, an organisation working on proper implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), on Saturday alleged that there has been no progress at all in the grounds based on the suggestions made in the regional consultations that advocated about recognition of Community Forest Rights (CFRs) in the State since last four to five years.
Ahead of a two-day regional consultation on implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to be held by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) from Monday here, the CSD alleged that these consultations have failed to change the attitude of bureaucrats, specially the Forest Department, who are the main hurdles in the way of recognising CFRs and right over community forest resources.
The organisation found no impacts of these consultations on the bureaucrats, who are supposed to help the forest dwellers at the grounds.
The CSD opined that the main focus of discussion in the consultation should be on the real causes and issues involved behind non-recognition and wrong recognition of community forest rights (CFRs) in the State, intentional noncooperation of the Forest Department in verifying or recognising CFRs at the grounds and irrelevant use of CAMPA fund by bypassing Palli Sabhas.