FOREST DEWLLERS ACT,2008

BY ADVOCATE DESH DEEPAK SINGH

 Introduction

• An Act to recognize and vest the forest rights and

occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled
Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have
been residing in such forests for generations but whose
rights could not be recorded; to provide for a framework
for recording the forest rights so vested and the nature
of evidence required for such recognition and vesting in
respect of forest land.
 Important sections

• Under Section 2A the State government will ensure by

identifying of hamlets and process of their consolidation
and process of recognition and vesting of rights in these
hamlets and habitations are done.
• Section 3 states about Gram Sabha which shall be
convened by Gram Panchayat and a Committee should
be elected and not less than 1/3rd of it will be women.
Forest Rights Committee will decide on a chairperson
and secretary and a member of the committee will also
be a claimant of individual forest right.
• Section 4 states about the functions of Gram Sabha i.e. to
determine nature and extent of forest rights, hear claims,
prepare and maintain register relating to details of claimants,
passing resolution on claims on forest rights, considering
resettlement packages, constitute committees for protection
of wildlife, forest and biodiversity, approve decisions of
committees pertaining to issues of transit permits. Gram
Sabha will get assistance from the state authorities.
• Section 5 explains about sub-divisional level committee
constituting sub-divisional officer or chairperson, forest
officer or member, 3 members of block levelpanchayat
nominated by District Panchayat of which 2 will be ST and an
officer of tribal welfare department incharge of sub-division.
 Origin

The livelihood of perhaps 100 million poorest of the poor

(The Indian Forest Rights Act 2006: Communing
Enclosures) stands to improve if implementation can
succeed. The Act is significant as it provides scope and
historic opportunity of integrating conservation and
livelihood rights of the people.