'Sir… if we define forests, it could create many loopholes'
Union forest ministry’s reply to parliamentary committee’s query on absence of a clear definition of forests
Critical Wildlife Habitat guidelines issued; NTCA order superseded
Forest rights activists criticise Ministry of Tribal Affairs' decision to accept the guidelines without making any revisions or inviting comments …
Long overdue change made in new draft of Forest Policy
The new draft National Forest Policy takes into account the paradigm shift in present realities due to climate change
Afforestation: money on the trees
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act could redefine forest governance. But will it protect the rights of forest dwellers?
The amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927 will create new markets & jobs for poor communities
After amending Section 2(7) of Indian Forest Act, 1927, bamboo is no longer a tree. This enables the livelihoods of forest communities as well as …
Project Lion could displace Maldharis within Gir to create ‘inviolate space’
The proposal seeks to relocate 2,500 families of the community from the Gir protected area within 10 years
Study urges government to grant community rights to local forest dwellers
In tribal-dominated areas of the country, forests have always been traditionally managed by local communities
In a first, Odisha studies potential forest land under FRA
New estimate offers ‘baseline for planning and effective implementation of forest rights Act recognition’
Changes to Forest Conservation Rules dilute forest rights, say tribal communities
Consent from forest dwellers not mandatory for changing land use under new amendments; Activists demand withdrawal
Why are Wayanad tribals, farmers wary of poll promises?
It seems that tribal leaders, farmers and environmentalists are not impressed with Rahul Gandhi contesting from their constituency
How can India overcome policy and institutional gaps in forest management
We need to recognise the Gram Sabha as empowered by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment
Mendha Lekha gets record bamboo rate
Earns 2.5 times more than what the highest rate received by the forest department last year
Kalahandi Gram Sabhas write to NCST, invoke atrocities act against Jharkhand DFO
DFO illegally seized consignment of kendu leaves being transported from Odisha to West Bengal, federation of Gram Sabhas alleges
Forest title claims of over 50% tribals, forest dwellers rejected: report
Where titles have been granted, average size of land holdings much smaller than what the Forest Rights Act provides for, says status report on …
24 Chhattisgarh villages pledge to develop wildlife sanctuary on their own
Community leaders say they will increase forest cover and wildlife numbers by 150 per cent in five years in the proposed Udanti and Sita Nadi …
How FRA helped India’s forest communities during COVID-19
Stories of hope have been reported from across the tribal areas of how communities survived due to FRA even as attempts have been made to dilute it
Chhattisgarh village under demolition for Hindalco mine, villagers claim foul play
At least 50 families have been relocated, claims official. A house was razed on June 2
As told to Parliament (December 22, 2022): Around 60% of India prone to earthquakes
Around 11% of India falls in Zone V, which is the most seismically active
Empower communities to restore forests: Study
Crucial forest-restoration areas in low-income countries — home to 12 per cent of their total population — can have an impact on …
Fresh gram sabha meet ordered for Mahan coal block
Move follows close on the heels of high court order to probe earlier gram sabha resolution of Amelia village allowing mining, which residents …
Niyamgiri, in bits and pieces
As Odisha government confines the claims of Dongria Kondh to small patches of forests around their hamlets, the second palli sabha at Kesarpadi …
Another Maharashtra village demands community forest rights
Tribal village Pachgaon to follow Mendha Lekha; to hold bamboo sale as protest to gain community forest rights
Forest depts as nodal agency for community forest resources: A political blunder
The Chhattisgarh government issued an order on May 31, making the state forest department the nodal agency for Community Forest Resource Rights
Mahan coal block dispute before green tribunal
After two-year-long protests, demanding settlement of forest rights prior to mining, residents of Waidhan forest range approach National Green …
Odisha village takes up tendu trade, but finds no buyers
Government does not provide market linkages or support price after deregulating trade in the minor forest produce. It's a conspiracy, say activists