16-June-2025 Daily Answer Writing
Q1) How can India balance forest conservation with tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006?
(GS Paper 2 – Social Justice; 15 Marks, 250 Words)
Answer:
Introduction:
The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 was enacted to address historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs). It recognizes individual and community rights over forest land and resources. However, ensuring these rights while maintaining ecological sustainability poses significant challenges, necessitating a delicate balance between forest conservation and tribal empowerment.
Challenges in Balancing Conservation and Rights:
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Land-use conflicts: Granting land rights can lead to deforestation, agricultural expansion, or mining pressures if not regulated.
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Bureaucratic resistance: Forest departments often view FRA as a threat to conservation mandates.
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Lack of awareness among tribals: Many communities are unaware of their rights or face hurdles in the claims process.
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Evictions in protected areas: Despite FRA, tribal families are often displaced for tiger reserves or eco-sensitive zones.
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Judicial ambiguities: Court rulings, such as the 2019 SC eviction order (later stayed), reveal tension between rights and conservation.
Measures to Achieve Balance:
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Participatory forest governance: Strengthen Gram Sabhas to manage Community Forest Resource (CFR) areas sustainably.
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Eco-sensitive tribal livelihood models: Promote traditional knowledge-based sustainable agriculture and NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Produce) collection.
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Capacity building: Train tribals in biodiversity conservation, afforestation, and eco-tourism.
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Integrated conservation-development planning: Involve tribal communities in wildlife protection (e.g., Joint Forest Management).
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Legal and administrative clarity: Ensure time-bound, transparent recognition of rights while identifying critical wildlife habitats with tribal consent.
Conclusion:
Balancing conservation with tribal rights requires a shift from a conflict model to a co-existence model. Empowering tribals as custodians of forests, rather than obstacles to conservation, aligns ecological sustainability with social justice, the core spirit of FRA.
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