Congress criticism of Tribal Affairs Ministry on Forest Rights Act

Notes

• The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, was enacted to address historical injustices against forest-dependent communities and secure their customary collective ownership of land.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is designated as the nodal ministry for the implementation of the FRA and the protection of rights guaranteed under it.
• A recent dispute has emerged regarding whether the FRA mandates Gram Sabha consent for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has stated that the FRA contains no provision for obtaining Gram Sabha consent for forest clearance, arguing such matters fall outside its purview.
• Proposals have been suggested to dilute the consent requirement by requiring approval from only a majority (70%-75%) of affected Gram Sabhas rather than all.
• Critics argue that reducing the requirement to a majority consent could transform Gram Sabhas from democratic protectors of constitutional rights into mere corporate stakeholders.
• There is concern that the current stance of the Ministry creates a regulatory vacuum, potentially allowing for the easier diversion of forest land for infrastructure projects.
• The FRA is considered a critical legal instrument for the livelihood, culture, identity, and political autonomy of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 3 in Gram Sabha consent requirements under the Forest Rights Act, which has been running since 7 September 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

• Gram sabha consent under Forest Rights Act Before
• Gram Sabha consent for forest land diversion After
• The whole story 3 entries