Executive Summary:
As of May 31, 2025, 7,49,673 IFR and CFR claims are pending across 20 states and 1 UT, as reported by the States/UTs to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). The MoTA is monitoring the implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006. The ministry has requested FRA implementing states to consider pending claims in a time-bound manner and resolve bottlenecks. The Government launched 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' DAJGUA on October 2, 2024, which includes digitization of record and claim process.
Key Points / Main Content:
Pending Claims and Implementation:
* As of May 31, 2025, 7,49,673 claims are pending decisions: 7,12,808 individual claims and 36,865 community claims.
* No claims are pending in the Kaimur and Rohtas districts of Bihar.
* State Governments are responsible for implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
* MoTA monitors progress through Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) submitted by States/UTs.
Government Actions and Support:
* MoTA has requested states to consider pending claims under FRA in a time-bound manner.
* MoTA supports districts by establishing dedicated FRA cells at the State and district/sub-division levels under 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DAJGUA).
* 17 State Level FRA Cells and 416 District/Sub-divisional Level Cells have been approved in 20 States/UTs.
* DCDM National Conference was held in January 2025 to review FRA implementation and urged DM/DC to dispose of pending claims.
Digitization and Transparency:
* 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DAJGUA) launched on October 2, 2024, aims to improve socioeconomic conditions of tribal communities, including digitization of records and claim processes.
* MoTA provides financial support to State Tribal Welfare Departments for developing and maintaining FRA portals, including server costs, software, hardware, security audits, and digital land record mapping.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UTs:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the FRA and processing pending claims.
* Action Required: Expedite the review and resolution of pending IFR and CFR claims. Submit Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) to MoTA. Consider establishing FRA cells at state and district/sub-division levels.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA):
* Impact: Oversees and monitors FRA implementation, provides support to states.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring MPRs, provide financial and logistical support for FRA cells and digitization efforts, and engage with districts to resolve bottlenecks.
District Magistrates/Collectors (DM/DC):
* Impact: Responsible for disposing of pending FRA claims at the district level.
* Action Required: Prioritize and resolve pending FRA claims in their respective districts.
Tribal Communities and Forest Dwellers:
* Impact: Directly affected by the recognition or rejection of their forest rights claims.
* Action Required: Engage with the FRA claim process, provide necessary documentation, and participate in community consultations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs MoTA: The Indian government ministry responsible for tribal affairs.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006: An Indian law that grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities.
Individual Forest Rights IFR: Rights granted to individual members of forest dwelling communities under the Forest Rights Act.
Community Forest Rights CFR: Rights granted to communities over forest resources under the Forest Rights Act.
Kaimur, Bihar: A district in the state of Bihar, India, mentioned in the context of pending IFR and CFR claims.
Rohtas, Bihar: A district in the state of Bihar, India, mentioned in the context of pending IFR and CFR claims.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan DAJGUA: A government initiative aimed at improving the socioeconomic condition of tribal communities.
Bihar: A state in India where the Forest Rights Act is being implemented.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3004
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/08/2025
IFR AND CFR CLAIMS
3004. Shri Manoj Kumar:
Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) the number of pending Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR) claims across the
country, particularly in Scheduled Areas such as Kaimur and Rohtas districts;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to dispose of these claims in a time-bound manner; and
(c) whether the Government is considering the use of digitisation and blockchain-enabled tracking systems for
Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims to enhance transparency and processing speed and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)
(a) & (b): 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 Bihar) and 1 UT. Ministry of
Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitors the Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) submitted by States/UTs. As reported by
States/UTs, cumulatively till 31st May 2025, a total of 7,49,673 (14.53%) claims are pending for decisions,
comprising 7,12,808 individual and 36,865 community claims. The State-wise details of Number of pending
Claims as on 31.05.2025 is at Annexure. As reported by the State Government of Bihar in their MPR, no claims
have been pending in Kaimur and Rohtas districts of Bihar.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked all FRA implementing states to consider the pending claims under FRA in a
time bound manner and engage with districts to resolve bottlenecks, if any, in settling of claims. Further, with a
view to enhance the comprehensive implementation of the FRA, MoTA has been providing support to the districts
by setting up dedicated FRA cells at the State and district/subdivision levels, for a period of two years. Ministry
has approved 17 State Level FRA Cells and 416 District/ Sub-divisional Level Cells in 20 States/UT under 'Dharti
AabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DA-JGUA). Further, MoTA held DC/DM National Conference in
January, 2025 wherein the progress of FRA implementation was reviewed, and participant DM/DC were
requested to dispose of all pending FRA Claims.
(c): Government has launched 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DA-JGUA) on 2nd October
2024 with the aim of improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities by adopting saturation
coverage for tribal families in tribal majority villages and Aspirational Districts covering about 63000 villages.
Digitization of record, claim process and development of State and National FRA Portal is one of the initiatives
under DA JGUA. MoTA provides financial support to the State Tribal Welfare Department for development and
maintenance of the portal (which includes dedicated server, cost of software, hardware, security audit, digital
mapping of land records and other operational costs).Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3004 to be
answered on 07/08/2025
Statement showing number of pending claims under “The Scheduled Tribes and Other
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” as on 31.05.2025, as
reported by the States/UT in their Monthly Progress Report (MPR):
S. No. States Total Number of pending Claims
1 Andhra Pradesh 1,509
2 Assam 96,209
3 Bihar 9
4 Chhattisgarh 6,624
5 Goa 8,818
6 Gujarat 84,387
7 Himachal Pradesh 4,704
8 Jharkhand 20,679
9 Karnataka 24,894
10 Kerala 2,930
11 Madhya Pradesh 10,229
12 Maharashtra 28,190
13 Odisha 120,637
14 Rajasthan 688
15 Tamil Nadu 5,448
16 Telangana 329,367
17 Tripura 3,841
18 Uttar Pradesh 0
19 Uttarakhand 0
20 West Bengal 364
21 Jammu & Kashmir 146
TOTAL 7,49,673
*****