Forest Rights Groups Fiercely Oppose Ministry's FRA Subversion Attempts

Over 90 forest rights groups accused the Union environment ministry of undermining the Forest Rights Act (FRA). They demanded Minister Bhupender Yadav clarify his statement linking the FRA to forest degradation, citing the ministry's allowance of illegal forest land diversion. The groups called for a halt to actions undermining the FRA.

In a unified voice, over 90 forest rights groups have accused the Union environment ministry of attempting to undermine the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention. They demand that Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav clarify his statement, in which he reportedly linked the FRA to forest degradation.

The groups, including prominent organizations like the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective, argue that Yadav's statement is misleading and legally untenable. They claim that the environment ministry has consistently disrupted the act's implementation, undermining its legitimacy, a sentiment reflected in their letter distributed to key governmental and tribal bodies.

Furthermore, the groups accused the ministry of allowing the illegal diversion of vast forest land for non-forest activities, resulting in deforestation, while reporting questionable data on encroachments. They demand immediate corrective actions, emphasizing the need for compliance with the FRA before any discussion on encroachments or evictions proceeds, urging the minister to withdraw his statements and inform the Supreme Court appropriately.

(With inputs from agencies.)