The Chhattisgarh government had made the Forest Department the nodal agency for Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) -- under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act 2006.
A press release from the Chhattisgarh government on Saturday stated that “Community members will be given community forest rights for the conservation of forests, participation of the villagers in the management and proper use of trees via forest dwellers."
The entire process for its rapid implementation has been chalked out by the state government.
The statement quoted Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar as saying that under the 2006 Act, CFRR have been given to Gram Sabha.
The government also stated that a committee for community forest resource management will be formed by the Gram Sabhas. This committee will work for the conservation of forests, wildlife and biodiversity in community forest areas.
Members of the Gram Sabha will be included in this committee. This committee will prepare a management plan in accordance with the work plan of the Forest Department and the Wild Wildlife Management Plan.
Based on this management plan, the Forest Department will do the work of plantation, wood, bamboo wells, forest growing work and wildlife management among others.