By Sandeep Mishra
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 9: A government move aimed at repealing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 has angered many villagers who consider the move was intended to take possession of natural resources and forest land for private use.
Thousands of tribals who gathered in the city launched a ‘Jail Bharo movement’ Thursday terming the move as a ‘‘conspiracy to undermine the power of village council (gram sabha)’’ in deciding ownership over forest land in tribal areas. The agitators also protested the recent Land Acquisition Ordinance and non-recognition of community forest rights by the ministry of forest and environment.
“As per FRA-2006, the village council is the custodian of natural resources in a particular area, but the government has tried to take away the rights of the forest-dwellers and use forest land for private purposes,” said Manohar Chowhan, convener of Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD).
“The very recent Land Acquisition Ordinance of the Central Government has exposed its nexus with corporate giants who want to convert forests into industrial land,” Chowhan alleged.
According to CSD, the State Government has implemented the FRA forcefully. Although the government has been claiming that Forest Rights (IFR) titles have been given to a large number of beneficiaries, IFR titles have been distributed without proper demarcation or verification.
