The Chhattisgarh government on Friday decided to simplify the process of granting permission to cut trees on the private land of tribals.
The decision followed discussions on issues related to tribal interests at a meeting of the Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel here.
It was unanimously recommended to amend the Protection of Scheduled Tribes Act 1999 and Rule 2000. Now, instead of the Collector, the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) will be authorized to give permission within a time limit of two months to cut the trees on private tribal land, an official communication said.
Site inspection will be done by Patwari and Ranger. After the permission is granted, the Forest Department will take action for the felling and auction of trees and the amount will be deposited in the bank account of the beneficiary.
This will not only stop illegal chopping of trees but will help the tribals to get a fair price for the trees on their land. It was clarified at the meeting that people will have to only provide information if they want to cut the trees planted under the Chief Minister's Plantation Promotion Scheme, the statement said.
The meeting recommended to run a land leveling and improvement drive through MNREGA on the lands of the beneficiaries of individual forest rights recognition letters (vanadhikar patta).
Recommendations were also made for installation of solar pumps for irrigation through CREDA on the lands of beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister said the members of the Tribal Council should take active initiatives to provide forest rights leases to the eligible people in their respective areas.
He said that in urban areas with forest land, eligible candidates should be given the forest right recognition ‘Aadhaar’ letters.
The meeting suggested giving admission to the children of the entire Scheduled area as well as Naxalite-affected areas in Prayas Residential School.
The meeting recommended expediting the process of recruitment of educated youths of special backward tribes in government jobs.