India’s total forest cover increases by 1%: State of Forest Report 2017
A biannual report by the Forest Survey of India shows a 0.94% increase in India’s total forest cover since its last assessment in 2015
A tale of two interpretations
Aparna Pallavi recounts struggles of residents of a tiny village in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra to get ownership of forest resources
Climate crisis: Uttarakhand may see forest fires round the year
It is winters but state forests are on fire. Experts say lack of soil moisture due to insufficent rainfall aided spread
Rewind 2018: Development and fire eat up India’s forest cover
The country’s greenery suffered several blows in the past year as it was compromised for vertical growth and authorities could not curb …
Afforestation: money on the trees
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act could redefine forest governance. But will it protect the rights of forest dwellers?
Youth from Odisha’s Kandhamal show the way to combat forest fires
Youths here held several meetings with the villagers and explained climate change as well as methods to mitigate forest fires at the community level
Why this Maharashtra village is fighting for the long forgotten Gramdan Act?
In a society that is moving towards hyper-individualism, the community here takes a collective approach
Lack of indigenous people’s participation big barrier to mainstreaming of biodiversity: FAO
Some 15 per cent of global forests are managed as community resources by indigenous peoples and local communities
Madhya Pradesh sets JFM precedent
Two recent developments augur well for the forest dwellers of Madhya Pradesh. Firstly, under the Joint Forest Management plan, forest protection …
These 2 Odisha villages wrangle over forest land, but maintain harmony
The people of Tilabadi and Mittukuli share their resources, welcome guests and celebrate festivals together despite claiming a chunk of land …
What is India’s definition of forests? Sunita Narain in conversation with MD Madhusudan
An in-depth analysis done by Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, has found that India cannot account for …
Indian Forest Act: What the proposed amendment entails
The government is all set to amend the colonial Indian Forest Act, and make it more biased against forest dwellers
Targeting of indigenous people fighting for forest rights in India is a fact, say experts
As a new report reveals a rise in the number of indigenous activists being killed for defending forest and land rights worldwide, Down To Earth …
Hunger strike for FRA implementation continues in Chhattisgarh; state yet to respond
Government has given land under the Individual Forest Rights titles, which is way less than what people originally occupied
Forest dwellers in Himachal’s Kangra district soon to get rights under FRA
The district’s forest dwellers have filed 81 individual and 43 community rights claims so far
Balancing rights and responsibilities: community-based forest governance in Maharashtra
A small village in eastern Maharashtra sets an example of managing community forest resource in a sustainable way
Himachal Pradesh forest staff to be equipped with arms to curb smuggling
The personnel posted in the checkposts in these areas can carry pistols, guns, revolvers or rifles to check illegal felling and smuggling of trees
India’s ‘missing’ forests: DTE analysis exposes big gap in latest national forest survey estimates
According to a DTE analysis, there are states where over 30-50 per cent of the land classified as forests is ‘missing’ from the …
Rajya Sabha passes Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill amid confusion, concerns
Rights to recognise forest land and register it to lie with the state government, clarifies environment minister
Forest Act amendments will dilute rights of indigenous groups in Himalayas: Activists
The bill is expected to be tabled for clearance during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament
Taking ownership: How forest-dwellers in Chhattisgarh, Odisha claimed rights over traditional boundary
The recent focus on CFRR under FRA marks a beginning of the second generation use of FRA.
UP forest dept cites stayed SC order for eviction
Although activists and forest dwellers could resist this attempt, the notice that came a day after still didn’t have any mention of the stay
Madhya Pradesh forest department violates FRA, seizes tendu leaves from tribals
The leaves were reportedly confiscated as the women were selling them to buyers other than the forest department
Roundtable: Is Bamboo a Minor Forest Produce?
The MFP roundtable participants discuss what constitutes a minor forest produce and whether bamboo fits its definition. Read Sunita …
Odisha to procure sal seeds from 9 districts; tribals say it’s too late
Several tribal people, mainly seed collectors, will be deprived of the procurement scheme, as the corporation will not collect from other districts