In news- The Chhattisgarh government has become only the second state in the country to recognise Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights of a village inside Kanger Ghati National Park in Bastar district. Simlipal NP in Odisha, is the first, where CFR rights have been recognised.
What is a community forest resource?
- The CFR under Section 3(1)(i) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (Forest Rights Act (FRA)) provide for recognition of the right to “protect, regenerate or conserve or manage” the community forest resource.
- Each CFR area has a customary boundary with identifiable landmarks recognised by the community and its neighbouring villages.
- It may include forest of any category – revenue forest, classified & unclassified forest, deemed forest, DLC land, reserve forest, protected forest, sanctuary and national parks etc.
- These rights allow the community to formulate rules for forest use by itself and others and thereby discharge its responsibilities under Section 5 of the FRA.
- CFR rights, along with Community Rights (CRs) under Sections 3(1)(b) and 3(1)(c), which include nistar rights and rights over non-timber forest products, ensure sustainable livelihoods of the community.
- These rights give the authority to the Gram Sabha to adopt local traditional practices of forest conservation and management within the community forest resource boundary.
Extra reading- ‘Joint Communication’ on Forest Rights Act 2006 – JournalsOfIndia
Source: Indian Express
