Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
ANNEXURE 11
COMMUNITY FORESTRY ON FOREST LANDS
AND VILLAGE COMMON LANDS, AND
AGROFORESTRY
Rajesh Ramakrishnan 1
ABSTRACT
Community forest resource rights in forest lands: Community forest rights
and community forest resource (CFR) rights provided by the Forest Rights Act
are most important for collective access to forest resources, community living,
and the ability and power to conserve forests. At least 40 millha of forest lands
are eligible for CFR rights recognition across the country. At least 150 million
people, including almost 90 million Adivasis, live in communities which would
benefit from CFR rights recognition. At least one fourth of the villages in the
country (170,000) are eligible to claim CFR rights, based on forest land within
their revenue village boundaries. Districts with a high number of villages having
forest lands are located in regions that have an Adivasi majority. Community
forest rights and forest resource rights have the potential for transforming
forest governance and forest-people relations; creating space for democratic,
community-based forest governance; livelihood security, poverty alleviation and
development; and food security.
But between 2006 and 2016, CFR rights have been granted only on 3 percent of the
potential area. The reasons for poor progress include the widespread portrayal of
the FRA as legislation for individual rights over land; lack of baseline information
on the existence of rights, and existence of customary practices relating to
management, use and protection; and lack of clarity among communities and
officials on how to determine and verify CFR. No guidance and support systems
exist for CFR management and governance by the Gram Sabha, except in areas
where civil society organizations are working.
1
Development professional – natural resources management and livelihoods; Isha volunteer
Indian Rivers
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