(a) whether the Government propose to involve tribals for the protection of forests in the country ;
(b) if so, whether some clauses of Forest Act are against the National rights and interest of Tribals in the Forests; and
(c) if so, whether the Government propose to amend those clause and strengthen tribal rights?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI BABULAL MARANDI)
(a) &(b) The National Forest Policy,1988 giving due regard to the symbiotic relationship of the tribal people with the forests, envisages that all agencies responsible for forest management, including the forest development corporations should associate the tribal people closely in the protection, regeneration and development of forests as well as to provide gainful employment to people living in and around the forests. The Government is also implementing a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme on `Association of Scheduled Tribes and Rural Poor in Regeneration of Degraded Forests on Usufruct Sharing Basis` for rehabilitation of degraded forests land with the association of Scheduled Tribes and Rural Poor. The interests of the tribals living in the forests have been fully protected in the Forest Acts and are in National interests.
(c) The question does not arise in view of (a) &(b) above.