Joint Committee on forest rights Act

The Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had constituted a Joint Committee in April 2010 to study in detail the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) including factors that were aiding/ impeding its implementation and recommend necessary policy changes in the future management of the forestry sector in India which might be necessary as a consequence of the implementation of the Forest Rights Act. The Committee has submitted its report to the Government. The report includes inter-alia recommendations/ suggestions relating to process and institutions of the FRA, individual and community forest rights, future structure of forest governance, enhancing livelihoods through non-timber forest produce and convergence of development programmes for tribals and forest dwellers. The Ministry had issued comprehensive guidelines to the State Governments/UT Administrations on 12-07-2012 and amended the Forest Rights Rules, 2008 on 6th September, 2012 to remove impediments and ensure effective implementation of the Act at the ground level. The recommendations/ suggestions of the Joint Committee were also taken into consideration while issuing the guidelines and making amendments in the Forest Rights Rules.