## Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 767 Regarding Implementation of the Forest Rights Act
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durga Das Uikey, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 767, addressed on July 24, 2025, concerning the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The question raised concerns about the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 and its attribution of negative changes in forest and tree cover to the FRA.
Specifically, the question inquired whether the ISFR 2023 had indeed attributed negative changes in forest cover to the FRA, and if such claims were made without adequate scientific evidence. It also asked if the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was aware of demands from forest rights and civil society groups to reject the ISFR's claims. Finally, the question sought confirmation that the FRA does not deal with the regularization of encroachments but instead recognizes pre-existing rights.
In response, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs confirmed that the ISFR 2023, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) under the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), identifies the granting of titles under the FRA 2006 as one of the potential factors contributing to negative changes in forest cover, alongside harvesting of short rotation plantations, shifting cultivation, human activities like encroachment, and natural calamities. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has raised concerns with MoEFCC regarding the scientific validity of this claim.
The Minister also acknowledged receipt of representations from over 150 forest rights and civil society groups demanding that the government reject the ISFR's claims linking forest cover loss to the FRA.
Finally, the Minister clarified that the FRA was enacted to recognize and vest forest rights in legitimate claimants who were present in forest areas before December 13, 2005. The FRA does not regularize encroachments but acknowledges pre-existing rights already being exercised by eligible individuals and communities dwelling in forest areas, including within national parks and sanctuaries, as per the provisions of the Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Forest Rights Act: An act to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations.
India State of Forest Report 2023: A report published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) under the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that contains information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India's forests, instances of forest fire, Agro forestry, etc.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes in India.
SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs who answered the question in Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
Forest Survey of India: An organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for assessing and monitoring the forest resources of the country.
Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change: A ministry of the Government of India.
December 13, 2005: The cutoff date specified in the Forest Rights Act for determining eligibility for forest rights.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-767
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREST RIGHTS ACT
767. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) has attributed negative
changes in forest and tree cover as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2023 and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether it is also a fact that such claims were made without adequate scientific evidence and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether it is also true that over 150 forest rights and civil society groups have demanded that the
Government reject the ISFR’s claims regarding negative changes in forest cover being partly attributed to
the implementation of FRA and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether it is also a fact that the FRA does not deal with the regularisation of encroachments and instead
acknowledges pre-existing rights that are already being exercised by eligible individuals and communities
dwelling in forest areas and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)
(a) & (b): The ‘India State of Forest Report’ 2023 has been published by Forest Survey of India (FSI) under
the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The report contains information on
forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India’s forests, instances of forest
fire, Agro forestry, etc. The said report mentions that the negative changes in the forest cover may be due to
- Harvesting of short rotation plantations or other forms of logging, Shifting cultivation practices, Human
activities, such as encroachment, Natural Calamities like storms, floods, and landslides, Titles given to
beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act (2006). In this regard, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has raised
concerns about the scientific validity of this claim with MoEFCC.
(c) : Yes, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has received the said representation.
(d) : Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted to recognize and vest forest rights in legitimate claimants who
were present in forest areas before December 13, 2005. Furthermore, FRA does not deal/lead to the
regularization of encroachments. Instead, it acknowledges pre-existing rights that are already being
exercised by eligible individuals and communities dwelling in forest areas, including national parks and
sanctuaries as per the provisions of the FRA.
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