Bhubaneswar: As many as 4.5 lakh tribal and forest dwelling families in the state have been given forest land rights, making Odisha the leading state in providing forest land rights, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, Wednesday. Launching the state specific, ‘Mo Jungle Jami Yojana (MJJY)’ on virtual mode on the occasion of ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’, Patnaik said more than 4,000 Gram Sabhas have been given community rights.
Along with this, the process to give the status of revenue villages to the unsurveyed forest villages is also going on, he said. MJJY is a special initiative towards recognition and promotion of regenerative economies in scheduled areas, land and resource rights of indigenous people. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the scheme will create a milestone in the development of tribals with the cooperation of all. The aim of the scheme is to ensure forest land rights to all eligible individuals and communities. Along with this, all development programs will be linked to this scheme and steps will be taken to create stability in the livelihood of the tribals. Unsurveyed forest villages will be given the status of revenue villages.
Addressing officials and tribals present on the occasion, Patnaik said the aim of his government is to reach out to all eligible beneficiaries through this scheme. He said steps are being taken to ensure that not a single eligible person is deprived of the scheme. Terming the scheme ‘good’, Patnaik said its aim is to recognise the contribution of tribals towards the sustainable development of forest resources. “It will also help in bringing stability to climate change and the economy and livelihood of tribals,” he added. SC, ST Development minister Jagannath Saraka said the aim of the scheme is to recognise the rights of tribals as managers of forest land. Steps have been taken to streamline the process and give rights to eligible persons within the specified time frame. Development Commissioner Anu Garg said that granting rights over forest land is a major achievement of the state government. The new plan provides for the inclusion of tribals in all development plans along with the protection of their cultural diversity, he said.
