(a) whether the Joint Committee of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has made any recommendation in regard to the Forest Rights Act and if so,the details thereof; and
(b) the details of the main recommendations along with the action taken/to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)
(a): The Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had constituted a Joint Committee in April 2010 to study in detail the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) including factors that were aiding/ impeding its implementation and recommend necessary policy changes in the future management of the forestry sector in India which might be necessary as a consequence of the implementation of the Forest Rights Act. The Committee has submitted its report to the Government in December, 2010. The report includes inter-alia recommendations/ suggestions relating to process and institutions of the FRA, individual and community forest rights, future structure of forest governance, enhancing livelihoods through non-timber forest produce and convergence of development programmes for tribals and forest dwellers.
(b): The Ministry had issued comprehensive guidelines to the State Governments/UT Administrations on 12-07-2012 and amended the Forest Rights Rules, 2008 on 6th September,2012 to remove impediments and ensure effective implementation of the Act at the ground level. The recommendations/ suggestions of the Joint Committee were also taken into consideration while issuing the guidelines and making amendments in the Forest Rights Rules.
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