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. 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. 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.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranee Narah in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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