Strengthening Forest Rights Act: New Steps in FRA Implementation

The Indian government has introduced a set of structural reforms to revamp the way forest rights are implemented under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. Aimed at recognizing the traditional rights of Scheduled Tribes and forest-dwelling communities, these efforts mark a new phase in how forest governance is approached. A major part of this transformation comes under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA) — a fresh initiative to streamline and simplify the process of claiming forest rights.

What is the Forest Rights Act (FRA)?

Enacted in 2006, the FRA is a landmark legislation designed to empower forest-dependent communities by recognizing their legal rights to land and resources. The Act mandates states to establish multi-tiered systems for verifying and approving claims, involving:

• Gram Sabha Forest Rights Committees
• Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs)
• District Level Committees (DLCs)

These bodies are responsible for receiving, verifying, and approving claims filed by eligible communities.

Launch of FRA Support Cells

To support the claim process, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned the establishment of 324 district-level FRA cells across 18 states and UTs under DAJGUA. These cells are designed to provide technical and administrative support—not to replace or override statutory committees. Their core function is to assist claimants in navigating the procedural aspects of claim preparation.

Funding Model and Institutional Framework

The new FRA cells are funded by the central government through the Grants-in-Aid General scheme. Allocations include:

• ₹8.67 lakh for each district-level cell
• ₹25.85 lakh for each state-level cell

This funding shift signals a proactive role by the Union government, which previously limited itself to recommending that states take action on FRA implementation.

FRA Claims: Current Status

As of March 2025, of the 51.11 lakh claims filed under FRA, 14.45% remain pending across 21 states and union territories. Shockingly, over 42% of processed claims have been rejected. The distribution of FRA cells is as follows:

• Madhya Pradesh has the most FRA cells
• Chhattisgarh and Telangana follow
• Assam struggles, with over 60% of claims still unresolved

Concerns from the Ground

Despite the intent to fast-track claims, some activists and experts have raised concerns. They argue that the newly created FRA cells may act as a parallel system and confuse claimants. There’s also criticism that the existing statutory committees don’t meet frequently, causing delays—something the new system may not fully solve.

Role Defined Under DAJGUA

The DAJGUA operational framework outlines key responsibilities for the FRA cells:

• Help with drafting claim applications
• Assist in collecting community evidence
• Digitize records for better data management

These cells will function in coordination with state tribal welfare departments and district administrations, aiming to clear the backlog and bring transparency.

From Passive Funding to Active Support

Historically, the Union government’s role in the FRA was limited to training and funding. With the rollout of dedicated FRA cells, this marks a strategic shift to active facilitation. The goal: to resolve long-standing inefficiencies in the system and ensure rightful access to forest land and resources for marginalized communities.