a

Government of lndia
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
*****

A draft working Committee Report on Guidelines for Conservation,

Management and Sustainable use of Community Forest Resources under
Forest Rights Act, 2006 for public consultation is enclosed.

All the concerned stakeholders are requested to send their comments

on the above said report to the following emails latest by 21"1 January,2021
at 1 1:59 PM:

manojb 1 2365-cgo@gov. in
uttam.kk@nic.in
 1

Not K{-c^4
Co#mittee Report on Guidelines for Conservation,
Manag ement and sustainable use of Community F orest Resou rces ,r
p-t&" Ao'&![qriw
under Forest Rights Act, 2006 t.,

As per the Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA in short), Gram Sabha as the grass root
level democratic institution is empowered to decide the overall framework of
forest conservation and m'anagement keeping in view the interests of the forest
dwelling communities, The Rules under the said Act also reflect this spirit.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) constituted a committee vide its order
datred 21st February 2020 (annexure 1) to examine and recommend Guidelines
for management ahd governance of CFR for its sustainable use to ensure
livelihood'security of th6 forest dwetling communities. The terms of reference of
the Committee are as under: -
a.AsuggestiveCFRGuidelineaspertheprovisionsoftheForestRightsAct,
2006 aiJRules made there under to be prepared / framed which provides a
ilear understanding of the concept pertaining to CFR and also conceptual
frameworkonCFRanddetailedproceduralaspectstoencourage
imltementation of the community forest management and conservation
regime in the sPirit of the Act.
may be kept
b. While preparing i framing the above suggestive Guidelines' it
democratic institution
in view that brarn-Sanna iithe lowest / grass root level
ano oy virtue of being a democratic inslitution, it is expected
to decide the
or"r"ti ttara*ork an-d obiectives in which decisions on conservation
and
taken bv Gram s-abha
;;;;;";.;i ptn should be made i e decision will be
is beneficial for forest
onfy, i".ping' in view on the consideration what
dwelling communities.
do not deviate
c. The Committee will ensure that the suggestive^Guideline
Act'2006'
irorn tn. f.tt"t and spirit of the Forest Rights
the.Rules made under the FRA'
d. The Committee will take into consideration
issued bv Ministry of Tribal Affairs
2006 as wett as the gril;i;isfiiteciions
on the subject from time to time'

is given below'
The report of the Committee
 'l
L

PREAMBLE

The present guidelines aim to strengthen CFR based governance and guide
Gram Sabhas in managing their community forest resources in sustainable,
equitable, democratic, and transparent manner as per provisions of the
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the Forest Rights Act or FRA).

These guidelines also recommend an enabling institutional set up to ensure that

all institutions and administrative departments of the State and Union
Government adhere to the procedures and roles envisaged in this guideline for
governance of CFR areas upholding the spirit of FRA to achieve ecological
security, sustainable livelihood, and other cultural practices for forest dwelling
Scheduled Tribes and Other traditional forest dwellers. This institutional set up
also needs to be democratic, which means giving voice to stakeholders,
transparent and downwardly accountable.

This guideline also recognises that forest rights of the forest dwelling Scheduled
Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers are integral to the very survival and
sustainability of forest ecosystem.

This guideline is expected to serve as creating the space for exercise and
evolution of the traditional knowledge and customary systems adopted by the
local communities for conservation of their community resources including the
community forest resources in a democratic manner.

At the outset, it is clarified that all words and phrases used in the present
guideline shall carry the meaning and definition ascribed to them under the Act
and the Rules, unless specifically otherwise indicated.
 J

CHAPTER - 1:
PROVISIONS FOR MANAGING FOREST RESOURCES IN THE SCHEDULED TRIBES
A N D OT FoR N ON OF FOREST tI
1.1 Section 3(l) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as Forest
Rights Act or FRA) recognizes and vests the forest rights and occupation of the
forest land in individuals and communities of the forest dwelling Scheduled
Tribes and other Traditional forest dwellers (STs &OTFDs).

12 Such recognized rights of the communities include the responsibilities and

authority for sustainable use, conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of
ecological balance and thereby strengthening the conservation regime of the
forests while ensuring the livelihoods and food security of the forest dwelling
STs and OTFDS.

1.3 As per Section-2 (a) of the Forest Rights Act, the 'community forest resources"
means customary common forest land within the traditional or customary
boundaries of the village or seasonal use of landscape (in the case of pastoral
communities) including reserved forests, protected forests and protected areas
such as Sanctuaries and National Parks to which the community had traditional
access.

14 Section 5 of FRA provides for the holders of forest rights, Gram Sabha and
village level institutions to protect wildlife, forests and biodiversity of the areas.

15 The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of

Forest Rights) Rules, 2oo8 as amended by the Minlstry of Tribal Affairs in 2012,
under Rul-e 4 i1) (e) provides that Gram Sabha shall constitute "Committees for
the protection oiwiiOtife, forest and biodiversity. from amongst its members, in
order to carry out the provisions of section 5 of the Act "

1.6 I th R u 4 I
F u rt h p ro d ES fo I m ch n S m o m o n to I a nd co n tro th
on a nd
Co m m ttee c0 n S ti tute d u n d I cl a U SE e ) wh ch h a p re pa re a co n e
re u rces n o rd to u S ta n a b Iy a n d
m n a s m e n t p a n fo I co m m u n ty fo re S
eq U ta b e m a n a s e S u h co m m u n ty
fo res re SO u rce S fo I h e b e n e fit of fo re
o ta te
d ti o n a F o re t Dwe rS a n d n
d n s S h e d u e d t n b 5 a n d o h I T ra wo rk ng p anS
th th m UI o a np o r
S u c h c o n SC a o n a nd
m a n as me n p a n
th S u ch m o d R c a ti o n S a m av
o t m a n a s e m n t p n S of th e
fo re S d e p a rt m e n
co m m itte e
b 0 n d e red n ce S a ry b v the
on
f lndia. has issued a guideline
1.7
ry" Ti1' ;'3" :1,],i' Pi,l, f''ffi
i,?,%'iffi i
"l n'uiait.""tion 12 of the Act This

g uideline mentions followings

 4

. As per the Section 3(1)(i) and Section 5 of FRA, the authority to protect,
regenerate or conserve or manage CFRs, is the Gram Sabha along with
the committee for protection of wildlife, forest and biodiversity constituted
under FR Rule 4(1)(e). the meaning of Gram Sabha shall be as defined
in Section 2(g) and section 2(p) of the FRA.
. Each Gram Sabha shall be free to develop its own simple format for
conservation and management plan of CFR, which its members can
understand with ease and may also pomprise of the rules and regulations
governing forest access, use and conservation;
. The Gram Sabha and the Committee under FR rule 4(1)(e) shall be
authority to modify the micro plan or working plan or management plan of
the Forest Department to the extent necessary in order to integrate the
same with the conservation and management plan for the CFR as
passed by the Gram Sabha;
. The State Government shall make available through its department,
funds available under the TSP, MGNREGA, funds for forestry available
with the GP, funds under CAMPA to the Committee at the Gram Sabha
constituted under FR Rule 4(1)(e) for development of CFR.
r Community Forest Resources (CFR) areas as recognised under Section
3(1Xi) of FRA shall constitute a new category of forest area which should
be recorded as "CFRs" in the Record of Rights and be suitable
incorporated in the records of the Forest Department.
 5

CHAPTER - 2
CoNSTtruloN oF CoMMUNtry FoREST REsouRcEs MANAGEMENT CoMMtrrEE

Community Forest Resource Management Committee (CFRMC)

2.1
lvery Grgm Sabha or village level institution where there are holders of any
forest right under the Act shall constitute a Committee from amongst iti
members, to exercise the authorities and power enshrined under section 5 of the
Act, to be known as the "Community Forest Resource Management Committee
or CFRMC.,,

2.2
l[e nrst meeting of the Gram Sabha, for the purpose of constituting the
CFRMC,shall be convened by the Secretary of the FRC and Chaired b-y the
President of FRCor any person chosen by the members of the Gram Sabha.

2.3 The CFRMC constrtuted by the Gram Sabha shall consist of not less than 5
persons as members, wherein at least two-third members shall b e the Scheduled
Tribes;
Provided that not less than 50% of total members shall be women;
Provided further that where there are no Scheduled Tribes, at least twothird
members shall be from forest dependent communities;

2.4 The Gram Sabha while constituting CFRMC, shall ensure that proper
representation from various user groups like graziers, MFP collectors, women
and any other group dependent on forest including representation from hamlet(s).

2.5 The CFRMC so constituted shall selecVelect a Chairperson, a Secretary and

Treasurer among its members in its first meeting convened within fifteen days of
its constitution and intimate the same to the Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayat and
Sub-Divisional Level Committee.

2.6 The Chairperson of the CFRMC shall be from the Schedule Tribe and where
there is no Scheduled Tribe, the Chairperson shall be from a forest dependent
person. At least one of the office bearers shall be a woman

2.7 The oFRMC will function as the executive arm of the Gram Sabha, and shall
remain accountable to the Gram Sabha.

2.8 ThetenureoftheCFRCsshallbefor3to5years.ThetenureoftheCommittee
shall be decided bY the Gram Sabha;
conservat ion and
,o Any existing Committeelookinq after forest protection' of
;;dil;;i, shall be deemed [o asreplaced bv the CFRMC for sover nance
CFR areas;

;: [1i:l'"",1" ";i: ; s:r'[i':i,";';

ng
2.10 \Nhere Community Forest Resource i'
u"i"s conserved and managed b i"';;;.,;ii;i.; with arl the members or
".iJn
[].", t'" 6rnMC shall be constituted
such Gram Sabhas
 6

CHAPTER.3
POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GRAM SABHA AND FUNCTIONS OF CFRMC

3 Powers and Authority of the Gram Sabha- (1) The Gram Sabha shall

(a) integrate the committees for the protection of wildlife, forest and
biodiversity, catchment areas, water sources and other ecological
sensitive areas located within which it has had traditional rights;
(b) Be empowered to carry out the powers and authority as laid down under
section 5 of the Act;
(c) File complaint before SLMC under section 7 & 8 of the Act in case of any
violation of the Act and rules by if any government or non-government
entities;
(d) Make rules and issue appropriate directions for governance and
conservation of CFR including functions of CFRMC, conflicU dispute
resolution, benefit sharing, issuance of TT permit, fund management and
etc., regulating powers, functions and activities of the CFRMC;
(e) make rules or issue such directions for management of fund generated
from various sources;
(f) Approve CFR Conservation and Management plan/strategies/actions
prepared/suggested by the CFRMC. lf required the Gram Sabha can
modify the suggested plans/actions/strategies including CFR Conservation
and Management Plan;
(g) Appoint any person or hire any institution for extending support to the
Gram Sabha for preparation of CFR Conservation and Management plan,
financial management system or any activities which are coming under the
purview of the Gram Sabha;
(h) Resolve any conflict or dispute related to the CFR Governance and
Management;
books of account of
3.2 Every member of the Gram Sabha has the right to inspect
of the Community
the fund meant for governance, conservation and management
Forest Resources maintained by the CFRMC;
Sabha shall meet at regular intervals
3.5 Meetinq of the Gram Sabha: The Gram
review actions taken for CFR
,"Jin .],'l, .ri. not less than once in six months to
village head or traditional
meeting shall be presided. by the
the CFR Committee
".r"1.r.i";-ine bY the Gram sabha other than
il#;;;;v ferson choien
or the ,
Gra S.Ont in a calendar shall
be
;il;";s, Ai t!..i on" or the meeting
presided bY a woman;
d by the G ra m Sa b h a
shall
F RM o t a nv pe rS o n a U th o rI n cy
3.6 Th e Se cre ta ry o t th n a d a n ce n ca e o f
m rg
e S th a n 7 d a v
nfo rm a th e me m be rS n ot
pe fl od m a v be a VE d
the VE n-d a v n o ti ce
 l

3.7 The meeting shall be held in such a time and place, which shall be convenient to
the women of the concerned Gram Sabha.

3.9 The Gram Sabha shall ensure participation of forest right holders of other
villages, whose forest rights are recognized within the area over which they have
had traditional rights, while they are finalizing the CFR Conservation and
Management Plan or regulating any access to the CFR areas;

3.1 0 Quorum of the Gram Sabha Meeting: The quorum of the Gram Sabha meeting
shall not be less than one-half of all adult members of such Gram Sabha.
Provided that at least one-third of the members present shall be women;
Provided further that where any decision in respect of regulate access to CFR
areas, which is likely to affect forest right of any holder, at least two-third of all
forest right holders or affect members shall be present;

3.12 Functions of Community Forest Resource Management Committee

(cFRMC)

Functions of the CFRMC; The CFRMC shall

a) Carry out all executive functions as decided by the Gram Sabha;

b) accountable and answerable to the Gram Sabha for its action and
decisions;

c) prepare a draft conservation and management plan for the community

forest resource and place before the Gram Sabha for final approval;

d) ensure sustainable harvesting of Minor Forest Products within the village

boundary;implement the CFR conservation and management plan?

e)' shall place the CFRCMbefore the Gram Sabha if there is any
requirement of amendment of rules and regulation framed by the Gram
Sabha;
including
f) ensure proper maintenance of bo oks of account, all registers
proceedings of Commiftee and Gram Sabha, rules and regulations,
notice book, dispatch register etc'
a b ha fo r n S p e cti o n o f a ny d o c U m
nt
g ) a I ow a n v m tr m be I of S u h G Ia m

d e re d b Y the m
n \, o ve I n m nt
itte d by the G ove rn m en t or N o
h) p a ce a ny p rop o S a S u b m F R d tea fo con S id la t o n
( and
rk wi th n th
a s nc e 5 fo r a ny type o t wo
re th E G ta m S a bh a
a p p rop n a te d te cti o n b efo

3.13 CFRMC Meeting

pe rfo rm a n ce
eet a t I a S t on ce
i n two m o nth for t h
a ) T h e C F RM S h o u d m of I
U o ru m of th e m
ee ti n S h a be two th rd
o f ts fu n cti o n S Th
 members, and at least one-thi rdo f the members present should be
women

b) The Secretary shall inform all the members in advance about the date,
time, venue, and agenda of the meeting; ln case of urgent action, the
seven-day notice period may be waived off. The Gram Sabha members
will be free to attend CFRMC meetings as observers'

c)' The meeting shall be held in such a time and place, keeping in mind the
conveniend of the women members. CFRC may invite any member of
the Gram Sabha or any elected official or any other official to a meeting to
seek their inputs. Such invitees will not have voting rights in the decisions
of the CFRMC.

d) The Chairperson shall preside over the meeting of the CFRMC, and in
his/her absence the CFRMC may nominate an acting Chairperson for the
said meeting.

e) The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded in the meeting register by

thesecretary.lnformationaboutdecisionsmadebythecommitteewillbe
disseminated to all the members of the Gram Sabha;
 9

CHAPTER_4:
PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF CFR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
PLAN

41 The Conservation and Management Plan shall be known as'Community Forest

Resources Conservation and Management Plan' (CFRCM Plan);

4.2 The CFRMC shall follow rules/ process or prescriptions developed by the Gram
Sabha, while preparing the "Community Forest Resources Conservation and
Management Plan";

4.3 The format for conservation and management plan of the CFR shall be simple,
which its members can understand with ease; However, where the Gram
Sabha(s) has already approved their "Community Conservation and
Management Plan', In such case, the Gram Sabha or the CFRMC shall fonruard it
to the SDLC for their information and feedback if any;

4.4 On a written request of the Gram Sabha or the CFRMC for information, records,
maps or other documents, the concerned government agencyshall provide an
authenticated copy of the same to the Gram Sabha or CFRC, as the case may
be and facilitate its clarification, if required through an authorised officer, within 2
weeks from the date of receive request;

4.5 The CFRMC shall ensure partlcipation of all sections of the village community
including forest dependent communities, pastoralists, PWGs' nomadic
communities and women, while collecting information and preparing CFRCM
plan;

Gram Sabha
4.7 \Nhere forest rights are recognized over a com mon resource across
as the case maY be, shall
areas, a joint meeting of the various CFRMCS/ CFRMC
be held for preparation of CFRCM Plan.

4.8 TheCFRMCshallsharethedraftplanwiththeSDLCfortheirinformationand
feedback, if anY;
rt h Sug g o ns n d feed b a c k
4.9 Th SDL o I any of ts m e m b e rs shall re VE
ce ng th p la n
hn p e fl od of fo u t we e k S from th e d a te re
before the
and place the draft CFRCM Plan
4.10 The CFRMC shall call a meeting of the
witn suggestions received from various members
or]r" si'rin. along
SDLC, if any;
u ch S ug s CS tio n S n to ca
refu co NS d e ta ti o n h e
Th \, la m S a b h a sh ta k e a S
be cle a r
4.12 H owe VC I it h o u d
e c o nse rva ti o n nd M a n a s e m n t P a n e ti on re
fi n a lz n v th 0 n the G ta m S a b h a
t th e S u s s S
re n0 t b n d ng h a m a
o
th a t th S 5 ug s ES
0n ^S ra m Sa b v
tra m e R xe d fo I th S p u rp S th h a
n the ti me n t P a n a n d th e S
a m S
n o t re ce ive d with rvati o n a n d M a n a s e me
lz th e C o n SE
p r oce e d to fi n a th S s r ou n d
be ca ed n to q u e sti o n n f u tu re o n
n ot
 10

4.13 The CFRMC shall send two copies of approved CFRCM Plan to the SDLC;

4.14 The Conservation and Management Plan thus approved by the Gram Sabha
shall be incorporated by the Forest Department into its Working / Management
Plans, and also by other line departments into the planning and resource
allocation for the area.

4.15 The Conservation and Management Plan will be colerminus with the tenure of
the CFRC except in cases where for whatever reason the CFRMC has to re-
elected before the expiry of its normal term;

4.17 Monitoring and Evaluation: The CFRC shall place a report /share the activities
undertaken by them along with financial report on a annual basis or as desired by
the Gram Sabha.
 11

CHAPTER _ 5:
FUNCTIONS OF THE SLMC, DLC, SDLC, FOREST DEPARTMENT AND OTHER LINE
DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

5.1 Role of State Level Monitoring Committee: The State Level Monitoring
Committee shall

a) Take action for communication of the guideline and capacity building to all
appropriate bodies including Gram Sabha and members of SDLCs, DLCs,
line departments including the Forest Department;

b) Monitor the progress of implementation of the guideline in the State and

report on appropriate action taken to Ministry of Tribal Affairs;

c) Ensure that, all State laws, policies and rules meant for the management
and governance of forests and forest products are in consonance with the
Act, iules made under there in and guidelines issued by the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs;

d) lssue ne@ssary instructions to all line departments including the forest

department to extend required support to the Gram Sabhas during
development and execution of the plan or activities;

e) lssue operational guideline for financial management;

f) Constitute DistricU Block Level Converg ence Committee to operationalize

available to
rules 16 of the Forest Rights Rules and ensure that funds are
and
the Gram Sabha from all State & Ce ntral Governments' Program
schemes for implementation of conserva tion and management Plan;

k necessary c o rre cti VE te ps o I a cti o n

f a nv
g co nd u e n q u ry a nd
of I
a b h a u n de I secti o n 7 a n d
m p a n or s neva n ce fl d by h G la m S
th L, ta m Sabha;
th Act n d com m u n ca a o n ta k e n to
The District Level Committee shall
5.2 Function of the District Level Committee:
a S pe I the
o n S ti tute th Dis tri ct& B o ck
Level Co n VC rg e n ce c o m m itte e
a) o m m tte e o r
h S ta te Leve M n to n n s
guideline 0 I NS tru ctio n IS S u d b v
b ha tf o I t h SLMC;
the State N o d Age n cy o n
d e e o p me n t & e xe cut
on
p re of co NS ti tu ti o n of C F R
b ) M 0 n ito I the rog
S
p po rt e xte n d ed by th e n e
o n a n d M n ge m n p la n S u
of c F R co n SC rva ti
p rog rESS to th Sta te N
od a Ag e n cy o n
re po rt b a ck th e
d e pa rtm nts a n d
quarterly basis;
b th
n t p a n a pp ro ved v
c F R Co nse rva ti o n a n d M a n a o e me me nt P an
c) E ns u re th a t the po ta te d n th Wo r k n s o
M a nag e
a b n n co
ra m Sa b h a h S
nt
of the F o re t De p a rtme
e h
Leve Co m m ttee T he D L
Function of th e Sub-Divisional
5.3
 T2

a)' Organise training/ sensitization/ awareness program for the line

department officers, members of CFRCs, PRI members on their role and
responsibilities at a regular interval, especially on convergence of various
state and central government programs and schemes, guidelines or
instructions issued by the State or Central Government pertaining to the
Conservation and Management of CFRs;

b) lmpart training to the CFRMC members on financial management, which

includes record keeping, social auditing or mandated process as required
under the State laws;

c) Ensure that all line departments including forest department provided all
required support to the Gram Sabha including information, map and copy
of the working or management Plan;

d)HearthepetitionsorgrievancesreceivedfromtheRightHoldersorthe
Gram Sabhas, especially on conservation and management plan, as
per
the provisions laid down under the Act and Rules;
Pastora lists, Pre-
e)
-' Ensure that views of PWGs, Nomadic Communities'
,ori.rftri. communities, right holders of other Gram Sabhas' who are
lEp..li.g CFR areis are consulted before flnaliz ing CFR
Cont.t ".
.iion and Management Plan by the Gram Sabha;

f) Monitor & submit progress report to the DLC;

Forest Department shall
5.4 Functio n of the Forest Department: The
a ffs o n t h s u d e n e a n d ro e
of
fi
a) S e n ti ze th o ce rS n cl ud ng
fro ntl n e S

the F o re D p a rtm nt;

an ag m nt
q red S u p po rt, m a p co p v of wo rk n s o I m
b ) P rov d a th e re U c a S an d wh e n theY req u re
d fo t
etc. to th G la m Sa b ha o r c F RM
p la n &
n SE ati o n & M a n ag e m e
nt P a n ith n
d o p me n t & executi o n of c FR Co
,f e
4 we k S fro m th e d a te o re
M a n a s em ent p la n by th
e
te th a p p ro ed c F R Con S e a ti n a nd
c) n co rpo ta AS th ca S ma v be
ng M a na ge me n t Plan,
G ta m Sa b h a n Work
th
re stry a ctiv it e
the t p a n ned u nd e r
0 u t a ny fo p r nfo rmed
d ) N ot ca rry A p a n with o u t fr ee
n o
n t P a n o r AM P o tr a d ti o n a
rki n s/M a n a s em e d th ng ht h o td rs n ud n
G la m S a b h a a n
co n n t fro m t h e m u n ity fo re St ng h ts
a reas a pp ro ed u n d I the co m
a CCESS rry n g
u nt o T the G ta
m Q a b h a fo r ca
d ES s na ted a cco a b ha n cl u d ng o
fe I m 0 ney to th by the G la m a
) T ta NS a cti iti e> if p p roved P A, n u rse ry
o u t a ny fo re stry t p la n ta ti on u n d I CA M
a mboo m anas
em e n to ta ti on
co nse rva ti o n b rve sti n o tru ctu ( CS o t ny res
n wa te I h a
ta IS n
s a d co n Stru cti o
work
 13

0 Provide written feedback on the CFR conservation and management plan

shared by the Gram Sabha or SDLC;

g) Facilitate transit of minor forest produce across the State borders, where
the TT permit has been issued by the Gram Sabha or CFRMC;
ET lf the Forest Department does not provide the support sought by the CFRC or
Gram Sabha, the Gram Sabha may forward a request in writing to this effect to
the sDLC. The sDLC shall make every effort to enlist the cooperation of the
Forest Department in this regard within 4 weeks from the date of receiving the
request.

56 Prior to undertaking any developmental or forestry activity in a forest area which

impacts the CFRCM Plan, the Gram Sabha shall be consulted such that it is
involved in the decision-making process, and in any event no such activity shall
be undertaken without the free prior informed consent of the Gram Sabha'

5.7 For accessing any biological material for research or otheMise from cFR areas,
and for condiucting anf research or other purposes by any outside ag^encies
to Gram Sabha,
inciuaing Governm-ent agencies, all information may be.provided
purpose aid cannot be accessed without written permission from
i;;;;;-r.d
Gram Sabha
 14

CHAPTER - 6
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

to carry out
o. I A Single consolidated account should be operational in each CFRMC ptan
activity of the committee and implementation of the CFRCM
orv t6 o.v'tp".ial
io'*"u"r, funds may be created as approved by the Gram Sabha for
specific purPoses

6.2 TheGramSabhaSha||makeproceduralrulesonthefundmanagement,and
deposited will be
nave fufl control over the budget and expenditure These funds
;;;;"jft;;.;i account in thi name of SFRMC in a nearbv suitable nationalised
lrnr oi port office and operated jointly by two office bearers as decided by the
Gram Sabha
p pl ca b e to th a cco U n ts of t ta m
6.3 Th e cc ou n ti n g p ro ce d u re S h a b a a
P a n c h a v a t a Pa n ch a v a ti Raj Rules/regulation.

sources:
6.4 The fund for the CFRC can have following
a)' Aqreed upon contribution from sale of
forest produce towards
minagement of CFR;
received from the State
b) Grants for developmental activities
Go rn m nt
a s n cl S fo I
c) F u nd S o r g la n re ce ived
from o th r non-governmential
develoPment wo rks
o p me nt wo rk
d ) F U n d S p rov ded by
fo re S t d p a rtm n t fo I fo res t d
n c u d n s CAM P A fu n d
p ( \, ra n ts co ntri b u ti o n S a nd
donatlons from re pute d
e) An v o the re cel ts
n S ti tuti o n etc ) a n d
a n a s e m e n t of the
re la te d t o fi na n cta m
6.5 Au d iti ng a n d accounting Procedures for f: td m Pa n ch a ya t a pe P a n c h a v ti
Raj
F R U shall be those Prescribed
K U S I re s u a ti o n a te d a cti ti e S a re
rers n vol ved n a fi n a n ce re
T h e offi ce bea !. le to th G ra m S a b h d a n d the C F R
b le a n d cco u n ta
resp o n S
a d d own au th tve
d
th th ru
b AI t he e xp n
wi b e n n
F R (- mee ti n s S T h e
\, I m
p ro ceed n s of the
a n d re co rd ed n th e m ay o n v b
n o a b o VE h ch ex pe n S e S
p ut ce
Sab ha Sh u d the G ta m S a bh
ro ug h a re o uti on of
a uth o n z ed th
u n ts
ues re ate d to Acco d ela n
p ts a n d p a v m nt
S
6.6 Othe I imPortant all the rece
need to re co rd
a. T h S e creta ry CFRC.
S h boo k of th
the d s I a n d ca e th ro ug h d re ct
m h o u d be m ad
th S p a re n cy cash
ge SA
p ym e nt of wa m a nta n tr a n
b. F o r the a n ord r to
r by ch eq ue
ba n k tra NS fe rS o
pa v me n ts S h ou d
be a o d e d
 15

c Every meeting, the CFRMC wrll review the accounts of the previous I

month in a date flxed for the same

d. The Secretary will have to present a copy of the monthly account
statement to the CFRMC.
e. The Gram Sabha may authorise any govt Official or its member to
inspect the accounts of the CFRMC any time'
f. The annual revenue and expenditure of the. CFRMC should be
p;;;.;d ;ithin three months on completion of the financial vear in
the Gram Sabha.
through its
closing the books of accounts' the CFRMC
o. At the time of -,"qr"litn"
' SiilJtJw ffi Gram Sabha to arranse- for audit of its
the CFRMC' the Gram
]'JJ-"rit.'O. receipt of such request letter from of the Panchayati Ra,i
sr-nn" *irr ,rtnorise the per provisions].
regulations.
"riii
misuse/fraud of the funds at
h. The CFRMC will be responsible for any
their disPosal.

6.7 Expenses from CFRC Fund

not be utilized for the direct or indirect
- The CFRMC funds will
a.
personal benefit to any membe rs.
of CFRMC for
d to any member behalf
b- Travel allowance to be Pai work on of or for
ParticiPating in a meeting or
".V "tn,ir.
CFRMC.
postages as per the requirement'
c. Purchase of stationery and
d P u b icity exPe n se
I
s and pavm e
o H Ji 3i"-3if [tT ;J i[11"il['3:"
"'
organised for achievtng
including magazines and
e. Purchase or relevant reading material
Periodicals' of nursery and plantation'
for the development
f. Expenditure incurred
/ works'
s SecuritY Protection
h Audit of accounts'

i. Eco-develoPment activities
xpen S e
n o I u nfo reseen
oth e I d iffe ren t, h id d o pme n ta a cti vity
t.
a n oth t fo re stry a n d d eve
n cu rre d o n v
k Ex pe nd itu re a ti o n a nd M a na o
e me n t P la n
d Co n SC
a S p r p p rove nte rve nti on
ty assets c tea ted out of p ro e ct
M a n LY na n ce
of co m m u n
Sa b h a a p I
pp roved by th e L, ta m
tse f a a o f nco m
m a v e ng a s u n d fo I m n ag ement
6.8 Th F R M
e a ti o n of a Co
rp u F
S pe cified
p u rp o SE by
ru ES n cr ze d fo r the
a p p ica b le d ca n b u ti
p ri o r a p p rova
of th e
a ctiv ti e S Th S fu n a m th
r the
s n la ti
ng n S o u il n S fo
owl ng ru les a nd reg u ati o
fo
Gram Sabha
 16

of the budget to
69 The CFRCM Plan should include general proposals an d outline
guide CFRMC while preparing annual budget proposals
 77

CHAPTER - 7

DISPUTES BETWEEN GRAM SABHA AND THEIR SETTLEMENT

on CFR
71 ln case of any dispute between two or more Gra m Sabhas, esPeciallY
resolve the disPute as
Conservation and Management Plan, the SDLC shall
mentioned under the sub-rules (7) of the rules 14'
m e a b h a o n g h h o d e I o f a n v fo Ie S
7.2 n c a S e a n v pe o n o f th c o n c e rn d U ta th e c o n ce n ed
d ec o n o di re cti o n o f th e \J ta m Sabha,
s h t5 s s fle VE d by th e th n 6 0 d a v S from th d a te o f
p rso n ma v u b m its s I CV a n to the S D L c
S o u ti o n T he
e D L shall fo ow th sub-section ( 2 o f section 6 o f th Act a n d
2 ) 2 ) 4 ) a n d ) o f ru le S 1 4 fo
I disposal o f g fl eva n ce o r d sp ute
S u b ru ES ( 1 )

t eve d by th decision
An v p e rso n o r th la m e a b h a a S the case m a v be, a s s
7.3
pe n od of 0 d a v fro m th d a te of
the d e cis o n o t th e
o f th a D L m a v ith n a cti o n (4 of
th D L Th D L U h a fo ow th e S u b-se
S D L c ft le a p e titi o n be fo 4 wh le
su b -ru e S 1 ), (2), (3) 4 ) a n d ) of th e ru les 1
Se c 0 n 6 o t the Act n d
p ti ti o n o I d p u te
d p o S n s any g riev an ce
of
Manaqement Plan: Where any violation
7.4 Violations of the Conservation and
inJ'ionierration and Management
is brought to light' these s
i"iort"".,
* ilt iimtil?J?;"'sffis Y' 3 i:il
Sabha immediately'
p ro ce ed n o u n d t a n v
la S a b h a m a v a lso n a te n ce SSA ry
7.5 n a d d ti o n the G m
Pe na od the d fe P ro te cti o n Act,
n h e n d a n
o th t exta n t a nc u d s
o o I Ie le a n S tate fo
res t a w) the F o res
o d a n F o re S t Act I 27 C and T
1 72 the n 2 0 0 2 Th
a 0 th B o o g ca Dive rS ity Act
Co n SE ti o n Act 1 9
ro n m n ta Pro te ction
Act 1 9 8 th
ity Act I 98 v T he Env
P re ve ntion o I Atro c ti m bei ng n fo rce
ati R a) Laws an d a ny o the r a fo I th
xl S ting P a n ch va
F R a Iea wh ch m v
a n cl ud
d etri m n to th
a ny ctivitY t ro m n a rby
7.6 f U ta m S b h a fi n d ts d e p eti o n n s o u n d wa
te I ta b
of E ffl u e n n ri ti n s ca n
p 0 u ti n d S ha rg ng co n tru cti o n G ta m 5 a b h
cts u ch a S m n o n ty s u ch a S
n fra S tru ctu la ro
p
a ti on t the a p p ro p I a te a uth
b bo u n d to ta ke
S
ron m n ta vro
re p o rt o n th env ich the e n fo rceme n t a uth o n ties
rd o n wh
p o u tio n co n tro b oa
a
acti on c AS pe r th e
 16

Chapter 8

GenerallssuesrelevanttocommunityForestManagementunderFRA
of 70 mha has been covered under
As of now only 5% of the total forest area
CFR The exact area *n"'" tJttion :irJtU
ntt been used is not known MOTA is
gap between total area under CFR
reouested to collect tnese ngu;; so in''itnt
:".i"ffiH'il;;;;;.t;; sit)(i) nas been used is minimised'
5
powers of the Gram Sabha under section
The Committee strongly believes that of the fact
ot tnu forest area irrespective
of the FR Act apply to tne eniirlib 'ri" Since it is a lesal issue' MoTA
that much of it is still ,o o" toi"t"i'';d;'iRA
should consult the Law rt'rinilt"rv"a"ni
itt" tr"t' tna un-ambiouous orders about it is
the scope of section 5 lf th;;J
ii" iltr"ttntut betvveen the-two Ministries'
tiit.r. i,l.ni.i. higher orders of the Cabinet'
these Guidelines apply only to the area
ln case the Cabinet decides that
'would

:;[:*im,{ik}:nt**:,*ffi ;':iil"iirJl::::lL::
#;ft ;';.d,;; toi.a Gram sabhas
oecrsi_on rn addition,
that have been sanctioneo of rejection'
ffii;;; li,tnorlseo to reopen all cases

ffimm$mru*'m
ffi
*,..$
 19

providing management and ownership rights to .communities in itself is not

the quantity and
enough.-such rijnts may not be able to prevent deterioration in
MFPs plav the most
;;;i;&...ilh" iatnereo' MFPs, or incomes- therefrom- dwelling communities.
iinpo,irnt role i-n the economic wellbeing of the.forest
(except of.tendu leaves) has fallen
Urifortunaterv, overall produciion of uFpi (in place of sal)'
;;;il;;6 rorett o'epa,t'ini ptanting spLcies' such as teak
Therefore' silvicultural practices
which yield no recurrent ptoo"i ?oigtt-heiing
proO"uction of gatherable biomass, and
should be radically .n.ng.o'iJ-boo-rtine
not trunk-based forestry which
not merely timber. We n"to'"t|.-oi';tJ's"6' "no
benefits markets onlY.
can be
'ihtt to be 'nationalised' that is' these
Moreover, the important MFPs continue have created
many state governments
sold onlv to govemment agreements to supply forest
new rights of 'g"tti"t
industrialists i-nio'gn longteim
and orivileses sale of
oroducts at a low p'it", ovpu'i'lni'i;";i' ;"tpi;t'-;ghts A limited
iv?'ti'pit' set of rules and regulations
Mrp. i, usually governeo For instance'' tn
number of buyers tn" opt""tE
'^ltii "*pttisticionditions' copprcrng
.bril;;;;t'prosopis iutift911 ran excellent
Tamit Nadu, an area
"f
iiil,ilni,shcae11c,?,f],.i;fi"f
Jf,
orioin from Forest Officers
il":*gi,L::Jil:ffithat]i::t!!''i!fi
ll't l":'l':"':i':"ir'i"'l.i"i".tinq f

licenses have
hurt value addition it
ll JIP':
IllX".J",ri.--piocedures but not f6r tiny and cottage
been done away for't'gJ'inT'J''"t-in-tnait'
material'
i"i"rttil".' or.td'on forest raw

.}*ki#""ffi illil{titl*lit,i"f :*-11-

ifrT,ff
ilfl:^:'.frftq*ffi
. 1 how to increase MFP
resource'
'-+il,'{Tr=Irr,'r"t1""'3x*
productlon' while sustaining
the
and
improve access of the poor to MFPS'
2. how to
marketing'
to maximize their incomes through
3. how

*n.q***'nfiffryfifi*lli