Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

Empowering Forest-Dwelling Communities

The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, officially known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, recognizes and protects the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources.

This Act aims to correct historical injustices by granting legal rights to eligible individuals and communities who have traditionally depended on forests for their livelihood.

Objectives of the Forest Rights Act

• Recognize the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and traditional forest dwellers.
• Protect traditional livelihoods and cultural heritage.
• Promote sustainable forest conservation through community participation.
• Strengthen the role of Gram Sabhas in forest governance.
• Ensure social justice and inclusive development
• Types of Rights Under FRA

• Individual Forest Rights (IFR)

  Eligible families can receive legal ownership rights over forest land that they have been cultivating before the prescribed cut-off date.

  Community Forest Rights (CFR)

  Communities can access and manage common forest resources for:

  • Grazing livestock
  • Collecting minor forest produce
  • Water resources
  • Traditional community uses

  Community Forest Resource (CFR) Rights

  Gram Sabhas have the authority to protect, conserve, regenerate, and manage community forest resources.

  Habitat Rights

  Special habitat rights are provided to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and eligible traditional communities.

  Development Rights

  Permission for essential public facilities such as:

  • Schools
  • Health centres
  • Roads
  • Drinking water
  • Electricity
  • Anganwadi centresCommunication facilities