Why in News?
Chhattisgarh has sought the Centre’s help after its Forest Department stalled CFR management plans, citing a 2020 circular. The Tribal Welfare Department was preparing to empanel NGOs under a central scheme, leading to a jurisdictional dispute over forest rights.
Description:
Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights are a critical component of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
- Provided under Section 3(1)(i) of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
- Recognizes the right of forest-dwelling communities to:
- Protect
- Regenerate
- Conserve
- Manage their community forest resources.
Key Features of CFR Rights:
- Empowers Gram Sabhas to:
- Formulate rules for forest use.
- Manage forest resources based on traditional practices.
- Linked with other Community Rights (CRs) under Sections 3(1)(b) and 3(1)(c):
- Includes nistar rights (customary use rights) and access to non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
- Promotes sustainable livelihoods by granting legal authority over forest use and conservation.
Benefits of CFR Rights Recognition:
1. Justice to Forest Communities:
- Addresses the “historic injustice” caused by denial of customary rights.
- Legally recognizes rights to cultivate, reside, and manage forests used traditionally.
2. Legal Empowerment:
- Grants the Gram Sabha the authority to:
- Enforce community rules.
- Protect the forest using local knowledge.
3. Recognition of Traditional Knowledge:
- Upholds the ecological knowledge and cultural identity of indigenous communities.
4. Conservation and Sustainability:
- Involves forest dwellers in:
- Biodiversity conservation.
- Sustainable forest management.
- Especially crucial within protected areas (e.g., national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves).
5. Democratic Decentralization:
- Strengthens local self-governance through community-led forest management.
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