This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Tribal Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4783 regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, specifically the districts of Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and Paschim Medinipur.
The Ministry, represented by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durga Das Uikey, clarified that the FRA, 2006 is being implemented in West Bengal, including the aforementioned districts. The responsibility for implementation rests with the State Government, with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitoring progress through Monthly Progress Reports submitted by States/UTs.
As reported by the West Bengal State Government on September 4, 2023, the following summarizes the status of claims:
* **Jhargram:** 20,917 claims received (20,753 individual, 164 community). 9,464 titles distributed (9,392 individual, 72 community) covering 997.84 hectares (982.11 individual, 15.73 community) of forest land. 11,453 claims were rejected.
* **Purulia:** 39,766 claims received (38,499 individual, 1267 community). 8,060 titles distributed (7,984 individual, 76 community) covering 1639.58 hectares (1615.76 individual, 23.82 community) of forest land. 31,701 claims were rejected and 5 claims were pending.
* **Bankura:** 37,559 claims received (34,906 individual, 2653 community). 12,104 titles distributed (11,894 individual, 210 community) covering 5843.37 hectares (5464.86 individual, 378.51 community) of forest land. 24,809 claims were rejected and 646 claims were pending.
* **Paschim Medinipur:** 29,890 claims received (28,794 individual, 1096 community). 5,233 titles distributed (5,216 individual, 17 community) covering 500.74 hectares (499.22 individual, 1.52 community) of forest land. 24,511 claims were rejected and 146 claims were pending.
The response also reiterated that under the FRA, Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes residing on and cultivating forest land prior to December 13, 2005, are entitled to individual or community rights over such land. The Act recognizes 13 usufruct rights, including the right to hold and live in the forest land for habitation or self-cultivation for livelihood. These rights are heritable but not alienable or transferable.
Key Entities Referenced
Forest Rights Act, 2006: A national law in India concerning the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and resources.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India where the Forest Rights Act implementation is being questioned.
Jhargram district, West Bengal: A district in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, where FRA implementation is being monitored.
Purulia district, West Bengal: A district in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, where FRA implementation is being monitored.
Bankura district, West Bengal: A district in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, where FRA implementation is being monitored.
Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal: A district in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, where FRA implementation is being monitored.
Jangalmahal region: A region in West Bengal comprising multiple districts including Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4783
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21/08/2025
FOREST RIGHTS ACT, 2006 IN WEST BENGAL
4783. Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal:
Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 has not been implemented in Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and
Paschim Medinipur districts of Jangalmahal region in West Bengal;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is aware that under the Forest Rights Act, tribals dwelling on their ancestral land
prior to December 2005 have the right of ownership of such land; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)
(a): As per the provisions of ‘The Scheduled Tribes And Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of
Forest Rights) Act, 2006’ and Rules made thereunder, the State Governments are responsible for implementation
of various provisions of the Act and are being implemented in 20 States (including West Bengal) and 1 UT.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitors the Monthly Progress Reports submitted by States/UTs. As reported
by the State Government of West Bengal, FRA is being implemented in Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Paschim
Medinipur districts of Jangalmahal region in West Bengal.
(b): The status of claims received, titles distributed and Extent of Forest Land for which titles distributed
alongwith claims rejected and claims pending in Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur districts of
Jangalmahal region, as last reported by State Government of West Bengal vide their letter dated 04.09.2023 is as
under:
Extent of Forest land for whi
No. of Titles Distribute
No. of Claims received ch titles distributed (in Hecta
d Claims
res) Claims p
District rejecte
Com Com ending
Individua Indivi Individu Commun d
munit Total munit Total Total
l dual al ity
y y
Jhargram 20753 164 20917 9392 72 9464 982.11 15.73 997.84 11453 0
Purulia 38499 1267 39766 7984 76 8060 1615.76 23.82 1639.58 31701 5
Bankura 34906 2653 37559 11894 210 12104 5464.86 378.51 5843.37 24809 646
Paschim
Medinipu 28794 1096 29890 5216 17 5233 499.22 1.52 500.74 24511 146
r(c) & (d): Under the Forest Rights Act, the Forest-Dwelling Scheduled Tribes who have been residing on and
cultivating forest land prior to 13th December 2005, are entitled to individual or community rights over such
land. FRA under Section 3 (1) recognizes 13 different usufruct rights, including under Section 3(1)(a), the right
to hold and live in the forest land under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation
for livelihood.All these rights are heritable but not alienable or transferable ( Section 4(4)).
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