LAND CONFLICTS PREVALENT WHERE FOREST RIGHTS KEY IN ELECTION CONSTITUENCIES.

Why in the news?

Analysis finds one-third of land conflicts tied to Forest Rights Act issues in Lok Sabha election constituencies.

source:TH

About the Land Conflict Analysis:

  • Extent of Conflicts: Land Conflict Watch analysis reveals that approximately one-third of land-related conflicts occur in Lok Sabha constituencies where the Forest Rights Act (FRA) implementation is a significant electoral concern.
  • Key Findings: Out of 781 documented conflicts, 264 are linked to constituencies highlighting FRA issues. Notably, 117 of these conflicts directly impact forest-dwelling communities, involving around 2.1 lakh hectares of land and affecting 6.1 lakh individuals.
About Forest Rights Act, 2006:

Objectives:

  • Address historical injustice to forest dwelling communities.
  • Ensure land tenure, livelihood, and food security for Scheduled Tribes and traditional forest dwellers.
  • Strengthen forest conservation by empowering rights holders.

Rights Recognized:

Land Rights:

  • Up to 4 hectares ownership for cultivated land per family.
  • Land cannot be sold, only inherited.

Use Rights:

  • Access to minor forest produce, grazing areas, and pastoralist routes.

Right to Protect and Conserve:

  • Authority to protect and manage forests against threats like forest mafias and land grabbers.

source:https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/third-of-land-conflicts-in-constituencies-where-forest-rights-are-key-poll-issue-report/article68058909.ece#:~:text=The%20States%20with%20the%20maximum,territory%20of%20Jammu%20and%20Kashmir.