The Indian Forest Rights Act, 2006: Salient Features, Scope and 2012 Amendment Rules

The preamble of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the Forest Rights Act or FRA) states that the Act was passed to undo the “historical injustice” committed against the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in the forests for centuries, but whose rights could not be recorded. It may be interesting to know what is The Forest Rights Act, what are its salient features, why this act was required, various hurdles that are observed while its proper implementation and why there was a requirement for 2012 FRA Amendment rules. This legislation is no doubt hailed as the first correct step in recognizing the fact that the forest dwellers are also a part of the forest and they have the equal right to live there as any flora or fauna.