**Executive Summary**
The document outlines the protection of ancestral land rights of tribals under the "Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006." It details the implementation of the Act by State Governments, particularly focusing on a case involving Jenukuruba families in Karnataka. The report also discusses measures to empower tribal communities and protect their rights. A key action item involves the State Tribal Welfare Department's request not to evict the 52 Jenukuruba families until a final decision is reached.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA):**
* State Governments are responsible for implementing the FRA in 20 States and 1 UT.
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs issues guidelines to ensure proper implementation of the Act.
* **Case of Jenukuruba Families in Karnataka:**
* 52 Jenukuruba families protested in the AtturKolli forest area, demanding forest rights under the FRA.
* 39 claims were rejected at the Gram Sabha level, and subsequently rejected by the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) due to lack of evidence.
* Claimants have filed a writ petition against the SDLC decision in the High Court of Karnataka.
* The State Tribal Welfare Department requested no eviction of these families until a final decision is reached.
* **Status of Forest Rights Claims (Jenukuruba Community):**
* For Individuals: 5993 applications received, 1680 title deeds distributed, 3953 claims rejected, and 360 claims pending.
* For Community: 139 applications received, 72 title deeds distributed, 50 claims rejected, and 17 claims pending.
* **Provisions of the FRA:**
* The FRA protects the cultural and livelihood rights of tribal communities.
* Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes are given rights to hold, live in, and use forest land for habitation and livelihood.
* Section 5 empowers Gram Sabhas and village institutions to protect wildlife, forests, and water sources.
* The Ministry has issued guidelines for Conservation, Management and Sustainable use of Community Forest Resource (CFR) on 12.09.2023.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments (Including Karnataka)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing FRA provisions, handling claims and appeals, and ensuring the rights of tribal communities are protected.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the FRA, address pending claims, and adhere to court decisions regarding the Jenukuruba families.
**Jenukuruba Families (Specifically those in AtturKolli)**
* **Impact:** Affected by decisions regarding forest rights claims and potential eviction from their current residence.
* **Action Required:** Await the High Court's decision on their writ petition and cooperate with authorities in providing necessary documentation to support their claims.
**State Tribal Welfare Department**
* **Impact:** Responsible for addressing the welfare and rights of tribal communities, including the Jenukuruba families.
* **Action Required:** Ensure no eviction of the 52 Jenukuruba families occurs until a final decision is reached.
**Gram Sabhas and Village Institutions**
* **Impact:** Empowered to protect forests, wildlife, and water sources. Responsible for community-led conservation.
* **Action Required:** Manage and conserve traditional forests.
Key Entities Referenced
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: The central law that recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The nodal ministry administering the Forest Rights Act and responsible for issuing directions and guidelines for its implementation.
Karnataka: The state in which the case of 52 Jenukuruba families from AtturKolli, within the jurisdiction of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, is taking place regarding forest rights claims.
Gram Sabha: Village level institution empowered under the Forest Rights Act to protect wildlife, forests, and biodiversity.
Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC): Committee to which rejected applicants subsequently filed appeals.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
PROTECTION OF ANCESTRAL LAND RIGHTS
OF TRIBALS
प्रव तथ: 11 DEC 2025 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
Replying to an un-starred question today in Lok Sabha the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri
Durgadas Uikey informed that 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 Karnataka) and 1 UT.
As informed by the State Government of Karnataka, a total of 52 Jenukuruba families have come to the
forest area called AtturKolli under K. Badaga Gram Panchayat of Ponnampet Taluk, which falls under the
jurisdiction of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve to protest and demand the issuance of forest rights under the
Forest Right Act, 2006. These families filed claims under FRA, out of which 39 claims were rejected at
the Gram Sabha Level due to lack of adequate evidence/records, and the remaining 13 claims are still
pending before the Gram Sabha to review the applications. The rejected applicants subsequently filed
appeals before the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC); however, all 39 applications were again
rejected by the SDLC through a meeting held on 22-05-2025, due to lack of evidence. As per the
provisions of the Act, the claimants were given 90 days’ time to appeal before the District Level
Committee (DLC). The claimants now have filed a writ petition against the SDLC decision before the
Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka. Further, the State Tribal Welfare Department has requested the Director
and Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Hunsur, not to initiate the eviction of these
52 Jenukuruba families until the final decision in this matter. Presently, all 52 Jenukuruba families are
residing in AtturKolli, forest area of Kodagu District.
As informed by the State Government of Karnataka, a total number of Forest Rights claims filed, rights
distributed, claims rejected and pending claims of Jenukuruba Community are as below:
Individual:
No. of application No. of title deeds No. of claims No. of claims
received distributed rejected pending
5993 1680 3953 360
Community:
No. of application No. of title deeds No. of claims No. of claims
received distributed rejected pending
139 72 50 17Ministry of Tribal Affairs, being the Nodal Ministry for administering the legislative matters of
“Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act 2006” (in short
FRA), has been issuing directions and guidelines from time to time on various aspects to ensure proper
implementation of the Act.
Under the FRA, there are extant rights within the legislation to protect the cultural and livelihood rights of
tribal communities in protected regions while balancing conservation efforts.
Under Section 3(1), Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers are given
rights to hold, live in and use forest land and resources for habitation and livelihood, including community
rights over customary forests and access to biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Section 5 of the FRA empowers rights holders, Gram Sabhas and village institutions to: protect wildlife,
forests and biodiversity; safeguard catchments, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas; and
ensure that the habitat of forest-dwelling communities is preserved from destructive practices affecting
their cultural and natural heritage. Community Forest Resource rights under Section 3(1)(i) further allow
Gram Sabhas, Forest-Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers to protect,
regenerate, conserve and manage their traditional forests, enabling community-led conservation that
sustains livelihoods and protects cultural relationships with the forest. This Ministry has issued guidelines
for the Conservation, Management and Sustainable use of Community Forest Resource (CFR) on
12.09.2023.
Further, in the last few years, the Ministry has conducted several National Level Conferences and
Brainstorming Sessions, Video Conferences etc with State Officials of Tribal Welfare Departments
including District Collectors, where the members of CSOs are invited to discuss the ways to strengthen the
implementation process of FRA inter alia, to protect the cultural and livelihood rights of tribal
communities in protected regions while balancing conservation efforts.
RN
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