Vadodara: A large number of tribals from
Gujarat may not get to own the forest land which they are
entitled to under the Forest Rights Act due to non cooperative
attitude of the forest department officials, representatives
of tribals said on Tuesday.
Bhanubhai Tadvi, President of the Gujarat unit of
Adivasis Sabha ( state unit of tribals committees) told
reporters that the procedure being followed to allot land is
difficult and tribals may be deprived of their entitlement.
He estimated that about 1,40,000 out of a total of
1,60,000 tribals from Gujarat may not get forest land due to
apathy of officials of the forest department.
Tadvi said the procedure for giving forest land to the
tribals under Forest Rights Act 2006 passed by the Parliament,
was not being followed by officials. There are state and
district level committees which are supposed to coordinate
with forest department. But he said these committees go by the
direction of the forest department.
Over 1,60,00 tribals staying in different parts of
Gujarat claimed forest land and submitted their proofs before
the Forest Rights Committees (FRC).
This was after the Congress led UPA govt at the centre
passed the Forest Rights Act entitling tribal to get 10 acres
of land on proof to be given by him saying he has been
cultivating this particular piece of land before 2005, a cut
off year.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 22:36