The Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), Odisha, the rights group fights for proper implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) in the State, after reviewing manifestos of all the political parties contested in the recently conclude lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State opined that no political parties have concern for recognition of Community Forest Rights (CFR) in the State.
According to CSD no political parties have given emphasis on the issue of implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006 and Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Area) PESA Act, 1996 and protection of land Rights in the tribal areas.
“After reviewing the manifestos of all the political parties in the State, CSD has concluded that none of them are serious on the recognition of CFR in the State,” informed CSD in a Press release.
“Settlement of community forest rights and rights over CFR has been one of the major issues in the tribal area in general and mining and industrial prone area in particular where diversion of forest land can only be possible when individual and community forest rights and rights over CFR has been recognised and settled and the concern Gram Sabhas have consented to it. All the political parties have not seriously taken up this issue in their manifestos,” alleged the CSD.
According to the CSD, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in its manifesto has talked of stringent implementation of FRA, 2006 while CPI (M) has just promised to expedite issuing of patta to STs and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). CPI (Ml) has promised to eliminate the hurdles in proper implementation of FRA while the Aam Adami Party (AAP) not mentioning FRA has stressed on empowerment of Grama Sabha to manage rights over forest produces and Forest for Adivasi and Dalit areas.
The release further stated that the BJP has emphasised on forest protection and regeneration expediting social forestry programmes while BJD only promised for “Homestead land” to homestead landless families.