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 …
Ripe for a green economy
Forests are home, say women of Kodalpali, Sinduria and neighbouring villages in Odisha’s Nayagarh; they can build the economy of the future
‘Someone should speak on behalf of environment’
Shibani Ghosh, the author of Indian Environmental Law: Key Concepts and Principles, speaks to Down To Earth on the role judiciary plays in …
Forest rights in Bastar: Of tribals being ‘guests’ in their own woods
There is a strong need to recognise locals’ customary rights over forests in Bastar and enhance their capacity to conserve them
Uttar Pradesh grants 3 forest villages revenue status under FRA
Kaluwala, Sodhinagar and Bhagwatpur were given the revenue status, which means that the inhabitants, Tongia tribals, will now have access to …
Baiga Tribes Get Habitat Rights for the first time in Independent India
Ramesh Sharma, Convener, Ekta Parishad gives an insight about the indigenous primitive tribes of India. Out of 76 primitive tribes Baigas …
Madhya Pradesh's call to bamboo investors reignites debate over forest access
Agreements for planting bamboo over 36,000 sq km of forestland take away the rights of the community, say forest rights activists
Election boycott over mining
Residents protest iron mining in Maharashtra tehsil; authorities blame murder for boycott
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
SC vacates Madras HC order staying issue of pattas to forest dwellers
The Madras High Court had passed an interim order in April 2008 staying the issue of pattas in Tamil Nadu without its permission
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
Walk the village talk
After raising the political profile of village councils, government wants to downsize them
Protectors dubbed criminals
Tribals in Madhya Pradesh celebrate festival to reclaim forests; officials say they are encroaching land
Uttarakhand Van Gujjars allege forest officials assaulted women; probe underway
Rajaji National Park area villagers allege they tried to lodge two FIRs, but police did not register them
West Bengal: Illegal acquisition of forest land for Turga and Bandu Pump Storage Projects, claim tribal residents
Gram Sabha consent not taken for transferring the land, says forum for tribal communities
Forest rights in Jharkhand: Too early to rejoice
Forest rights recognised in Jharkhand for the first time in 2 years, but do not give management rights
‘Indigenous people have been effective stewards of biodiversity globally’
Down To Earth speaks to University of Connecticut professor Prakash Kashwan about his book, Democracy in the Woods
It’s a hot potato for PepsiCo and farmers
The corporate giant claims that the farmers are cultivating their proprietary FC5 potatoes without permission
Chhattisgarh govt keeps poll promise, starts review of rejected FRA claims
The step is a reflection of how issues related to FRA have become politically relevant, say activists
Letting go of the colonial hangover should be the goal of the new forest policy
Forest department in India needs to reverse its role from being the owner and regulator of forests to becoming a facilitator in community-managed …
In 10 states, compensatory afforestation violating forest rights and conservation laws
All the 52 compensatory afforestation plantations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha were taken up on community forest lands
Civil society criticises Centre’s Global Wildlife Programme, doubts minister’s claims
The Global Wildlife Programme has been launched in partnership with World Bank and United Nations Development Programme to curb illegal wildlife …
We need conservation frameworks that empower, incorporate forest dwelling communities
The history of Project Tiger, which completed 50 years this year, reveals systemic exclusion of oppressed caste forest-dwelling communities
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
Panel looking into pastoral communities’ forest rights to visit J&K
The committee was constituted by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs on February 21, 2020