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 

CAG flags community centre under FRA actually MP govt tourist lodge in Pench

CAG slams action as being tantamount to misuse of powers by forest department and against spirit of Forest (Conservation) Act

How tribal leadership in Chhattisgarh is helping people access rights

The civil society’s intervention in the tribal regions began in early 1980s on two issues-sustainable livelihood, particularly in forest …

Indigenous people in India and the web of indifference

On the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we bring together the stories of exclusion, oppression, and at times, recognition

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

Rights overruled

States are making their own rules to reclaim the authority over forests from tribes, derailing community forest rights

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

Kerala’s Kadars continue fight for assertion of their community forest rights

Their Gram Sabhas have passed resolutions under the Forest Rights Act as work has progressed on the Anakkayam Small Hydro Power Project

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  

Inter-ministerial panel for FRA: A giant step backwards, say experts

Forest experts raise concern over the Union environment ministry assuming central role in matters originally meant for the tribal ministry 

The fortnight in brief

Himachal villages are first to claim forests rights, J&K's Russian poplars to be felled, Delhi's increasing appetite for power …

Bamboo liberation day

According to former environment minister Jairam Ramesh, minor forest produce is a ownership right vested by Parliament under Forest Rights Act

Mass protests in Mumbai, Dehradun against Centre’s attempts to undermine forest rights

Demonstrations follow T S R Subramanian Committee report recommending measures to fast-track environmental clearances

Chhattisgarh revokes: Forest dept no longer nodal agency for community rights

Chhattisgarh government reinstates the role of the forest department to coordinate claims that are to be filed by communities, …

Repeal or amend CAF: tribal organisations

A petition by tribal organisations says the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act violates constitutional rights and affects livelihoods of …

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 

Nearly 500 ha forest land in protected areas diverted in 2019

Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife gave nod to carry out 68 projects in protected areas 

Nearly 213 ha in protected areas diverted between April and July

Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved 21 projects for diversion, deferred 7 for later

Report flags violations in creation of India’s first critical wildlife habitats

CWH notification was first initiated in 54 of Maharashtra’s 55 protected areas, where rights of forest dwellers can be recognised under …

India continues to lose forest land to non-forestry projects

Central environment ministry reports diversion of 11,467 hectares forest land in 2019 (up to first week of November) 

Rare takes on the year just passing by

Being a Down To Earth reporter entails merging the personal with the professional. The magazine you so dearly own has a fascinating world hidden …

Adivasi & forest communities in Bengal pledge to protect their environmental & cultural identities

Activists from the Dooars to the Sundarbans call for implementation of FRA in its true spirit, among other demands  

Custodian violates forest rights

MoEF clears projects in forests without settling land rights of people  

Access to justice curbed

Red tape binds law

Maharashtra villagers don’t even get forms to file forest claims