(a) the total number of tribal villages identified in the country who are settled in the forest areas;
(b) whether the Government is considering to amend the present law so as to provide regular lease of forest land to these tribal villages; and
(c) if so, by when and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) to (c) According to the information available with the Central Government, there are 2690 recognized forest villages including tribal villages in the country. In conformity with the National Forest Policy, 1988, Government of India had already issued detailed guidelines on 18th September, 1990 under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to convert these forest villages into revenue villages. So far, Central Government has already converted 384 forest villages into revenue villages in the States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Therefore, the question of amending the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 does not arise.