Odisha tribal department writes to collectors on FRA rejected claim review

The letter gives detailed instructions to district collectors about how to take up appeals and reviews of all rejected Individual Forest Right …

Tribal farmers to harvest second bamboo crop after earning right to sell

Here’s the success story of people in 16 villages of Rajasthan who put up a fight against the district administration to be able to sell …

Adivasis account for 13% of total convicts, 10% of total under-trials, shows data

This number did reduce by a small margin, compared to data from 2001, but the disproportionate percentage of Adivasis in prison is just the tip …

Proposed changes to Forest Conservation Act a larceny of village resources

Proposed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, are a blunder arising out of ignorance towards constitutionally and legally-bound …

The Dangs: How a remote part of Gujarat has suffered over 200 years on forest rights

Having suffered under both, the British and post-independence governments, even the Forest Rights Act 2006 has been partially and messily …

Inside ad hoc forests

Government failure, both at the Centre and the states, is hurting communities and forests alike

Duty on minor produce will violate forest rights: Experts

The first draft to amend Indian Forest Act proposes to impose duty on minor produce that several tribals depend on for livelihood

'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  

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 …

Extensive amendment to forest law will dehumanise forests

The proposed amendment comes at a time when forest dwellers’ rights are being threatened even when there is FRA

People’s rights and status of forest in limbo for 53 years in Andhra Pradesh

The rights of the people were supposed to be settled under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act; but they were not, eventually

Centre to give Indian Forest Act a facelift

The environment ministry has started comprehensively amending the Act by “weeding out” and updating obsolete provisions

Rejected forest rights to be reconsidered: tribal affairs minister

It may not be possible to reject land title claims filed under Forest Rights Act in future

Don’t take away Gram Sabha’s powers under FRA: activists petition Modi

‘Central government's attempts to do away with consent of Gram Sabhas for diverting forests unconstitutional’

Ministers mount pressure to dilute Forest Rights Act

Tribal affairs minister asked to withdraw objections to Maharashtra’s Village Forest Rules that allow forest department take control over …

Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (June 29-July 3, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal through the week

Government withdraws proposed changes to Indian Forest Act

Minister Prakash Javadekar said draft created misconception among people

Draft amendment to Forest Act: Javadekar denies, but different pictures at states

Forest department of Telangana has held consultations to amend its forest Act

The new Forest Act debate is essential

Let both forests and communities win

Bamboo a minor forest produce: Ramesh

Forest departments had been refusing the control over bamboo by forest dwellers

Concern over the government’s moves to dilute the requirement for Gram Sabha consent in violation of the Forest Right’s Act (FRA)