**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Unstarred Question No. 1858 in Lok Sabha, addressing Individual and Community Forest Rights titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. The question, posed by SMT. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant, inquires about cancellations of FRA titles in Korba district, government support to Gram Sabhas in Chhattisgarh, actions taken regarding unlawful cancellations, and government intervention to restore constitutional rights. The answer was provided on December 11, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **FRA Implementation Responsibility:**
* State Governments and UT Administrations are responsible for implementing the FRA.
* The Act is being implemented in 20 States (including Chhattisgarh) and 1 UT.
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitors monthly progress reports submitted by States/UTs.
* **FRA Implementation Status in Korba (Chhattisgarh):**
* A total of 1,10,290 claims have been received (1,07,890 Individual and 2,400 Community).
* 58,773 titles (53.28%) have been distributed (57,141 Individual and 1,632 Community).
* 50,749 claims (46.01%) have been rejected.
* 768 claims are pending.
* **Government Support to Gram Sabhas:**
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has extended financial support to State Governments under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA–JGUA).
* This support is for strengthening Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource Management Committees.
* Includes preparation and implementation of community-led forest management plans.
* **District Level Committee (DLC) Decisions:**
* As per Section 6 (6) of FRA, the decision of the District Level Committee on the record of forest rights shall be final and binding.
* **Cancellations/Withdrawals Information:**
* The Ministry has no information regarding cancellations or withdrawals of any granted rights under FRA in Korba District and cancellation of CFR rights in villages like Ghatbarra (Hasdeo).
* State Governments are regularly urged to uphold the provisions of the Act and other safeguards.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Tribal Communities/Forest Dwellers**
* **Impact**: The FRA aims to recognize and vest forest rights to these communities. The actual impact depends on the efficiency and integrity of FRA implementation by state governments and the decisions made by the District Level Committees.
* **Action Required**: To be aware of their rights under the FRA, participate in the claim filing and verification process, and report any unlawful cancellations or withdrawals of their rights to relevant authorities.
**Stakeholder: State Governments and UT Administrations**
* **Impact**: Responsible for the effective implementation of the FRA. They are also responsible for processing and resolving claims, as well as preventing encroachment on community forest resources.
* **Action Required**: Implement the FRA effectively, ensure fair and transparent claim processing, prevent unlawful cancellations of forest rights, uphold the provisions of the Act and other safeguards, and submit monthly progress reports to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)**
* **Impact**: Monitors FRA implementation through monthly progress reports. Provides financial and technical support to state governments for strengthening Gram Sabhas.
* **Action Required**: Continue monitoring FRA implementation, provide necessary support to state governments, and urge states to uphold the FRA provisions.
**Stakeholder: Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource Management Committees**
* **Impact**: Gram Sabhas are empowered to manage community forest resources. The impact depends on the support and resources they receive from the government.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the support and resources provided by the government to strengthen their capacity for forest resource management, participate in the preparation and implementation of community-led forest management plans, and prevent encroachment on their forest rights.
Key Entities Referenced
Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: The primary legislation concerning individual and community forest rights.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA): The central ministry responsible for monitoring the implementation of the FRA.
Chhattisgarh: One of the states where FRA implementation is being monitored.
Korba district: Specific district of Chhattisgarh where FRA implementation is being reviewed.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA–JGUA): A scheme to strengthen Gram Sabhas and Community Forest Resource Management Committees.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.-1858
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 11.12.2025
INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY FOREST RIGHTS TITLES UNDER FRA, 2006
1858. SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any Individual and Community Forest Rights (CFR) titles granted under the Forest
Rights Act (FRA), 2006 in Korba district were subsequently cancelled or withdrawn by the District
Authorities between 2018 and October 31, 2025 and if so, the exact number of such cancellations or
withdrawals;
(b) whether the Government is providing any financial or technical support to strengthen the Gram
Sabhas in Chhattisgarh to prevent the Forest Department from encroaching upon the Community
Forest Resource management powers vested under the FRA and PESA Acts and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any action on the reported unlawful cancellation of CFR rights
in villages like Ghatbarra (Hasdeo), which was allegedly carried out to facilitate coal mining
expansion and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government would intervene to restore these constitutional rights, if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)
(a) to (d) : As per the provisions of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (in short, FRA) and Rules made thereunder, the State
Governments and UT Administrations are responsible for implementation of various provisions of
the Act and are being implemented in 20 States (including Chhattisgarh) and 1 UT. Ministry of Tribal
Affairs (MoTA) monitors the Monthly Progress Reports submitted by States/UT. As reported by the
State Government of Chhattisgarh, the status of FRA implementation in Korba, there are a total of
1,10,290 claims (Individual- 1,07,890 and Community- 2,400) have been received, out of which a
total of 58,773 (53.28%) (Individual- 57,141 and Community- 1,632) titles have been distributed. A
total of 50,749 (46.01%) claims have been rejected, and 768 claims are pending.Ministry of Tribal Affairs has extended, financial support 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.
As stipulated under Section 6 (6) of FRA, “the decision of the District Level Committee on the record
of forest rights shall be final and binding”. Further, no such information is available with this
Ministry regarding cancellations or withdrawals of any granted rights under FRA in Korba District
and cancellation of CFR rights in villages like Ghatbarra (Hasdeo). State Governments, the
implementing authority are regularly urged to uphold the provisions of the Act and other safeguards
in their true letter and spirit.
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