Centre tells states to extend NREGA, NRLM benefits to ‘forest dwellers’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesady has written to the states asking the departments of environment and forests and tribal affairs to work out a strategy framework with the rural development department to ensure extension of the benefits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
Both ministries have also asked state governments to appoint a nodal agency for non-timber forest produce for which a sustainable supply-chain platform needs to be developed. These measures are part of a detailed joint communique signed by the ministries of forest and tribal affairs to step up coordination, on implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006, at the Centre and state level, to expedite grant of both individual and community land rights to tribals and other forest dwellers.
According to data as on February 28 (available on the website of the tribal affairs ministry), 77,502 community forest rights claims have been approved and titles distributed. 19.24 lakh for individual forest rights too have been approved.
The joint communication notes that despite considerable lapse of time since the Act came into force, the process of recognition of rights is yet to be completed. Further, the exercise of these rights is also an area of concern.
Tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda said that this coordination framework will improve participation of STs and forest dwellers in forest management and ensure that FRA is “implemented in letter and spirit”. MoEFCC minister Prakash Javadekar said that the joint communication indicates a paradigm shift from working in silos to achieving convergence between ministries and departments.
It is emphasised in the letter that any queries that may require clarification or issues that may hamper the implementation of FRA should be brought to the notice of central government so that both ministries can take a collective view.
The ministries have sought that the frontline staff of the state forest department should assist institutions and committees set-up under FRA for preparing conservation and management plans for community forest resources to sustainably and equitably manage them for the benefit of forest dwellers.