The Unstarred Question No. 1058 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on 05/02/2026, posed by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, asks the Minister of Tribal Affairs about the status of funding support, criteria, and safeguards for Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs) under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the steps taken to strengthen Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs where implementation is weak.
The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs (Shri Durga Das Uikey) responded that discussions between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change regarding funding support, criteria, and safeguards are in the preliminary stage. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken steps to strengthen Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs and issued communications to State Governments/UT Administrations to protect and recognize Community Forest Rights. Financial support is provided to State Governments under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA–JGUA) for strengthening Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs, including community-led forest management plans.
Key Entities Referenced
Forest Rights Act, 2006: Act under which Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs) are constituted.
Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs): Committees for which funding support and strengthening are being discussed.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary ministry responsible for strengthening Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs, and providing financial support.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Ministry involved in discussions to provide funding support for CFRMCs.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA–JGUA): Scheme providing financial support to State Governments for strengthening Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource Management Committees.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1058
To Be Answered On- 05/02/2026
Community Forest Resource Management Committees
1058. Dr. Shashi Tharoor:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether discussions are underway with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to provide
funding support for Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs) constituted under the
Forest Rights Act, 2006, if so, the current status and timeline for finalising such financial arrangements and the
amounts proposed;
(b) the criteria/norms being considered for allocating funds to CFRMCs;
(c) the details of the safeguards to ensure that the funds are used for forest conservation, sustainable resource use
and community livelihoods; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs in areas where Community
Forest Resource Rights have been recognised but implementation remains weak?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)
(a) to (c): The discussion and communication between Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Environment,
Forest & Climate Change are still at preliminary stage.
(d): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been taking steps to strengthen Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource
Management Committees and has issued several communications to the State Governments/UT Administration
to ensure the protection and recognition of Community Forest Rights (CFRs) in the true letter and spirit of the
FRA. Further, financial support is being provided to State Governments under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram
Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA–JGUA) for strengthening Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource Management
Committees, including for the preparation and implementation of community-led forest management plans.
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