Govt to ensure forest rights Act implementation by 2009: Prez

President Pratibha Patil today said the new government will monitor implementation of forest rights Act to ensure that all title deeds are distributed under its provisions to the beneficiaries by the end of 2009.     

"The implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act would be monitored to ensure that all title deeds are distributed by end of 2009," Patil said while addressing the joint session of both Houses of Parliament.     

The Centre had brought in the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act in 2007 end to give forest rights, including forest land, to ST and traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such areas for generations.     

Last year, about 94,264 title deeds of forest land were distributed under the Act among the tribals and other forest dwellers, mostly in Chhattisgarh while many of the states including Andhar Pradesh could not implement the the Act due to legal wrangling.     

According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, a total of 1,02,800 title deeds have been distributed among beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh under provisions of the Act till April 30 this year. The state government, however, received about four lakh claims from individuals and communities for allocation of title deeds under provisions of the Act till April 30. In Gujarat, a total of 1,997 title deeds have been distributed among beneficiaries and the state government is ready for distribution of 26 more title deeds.      

Madhya Pradesh government has distributed a total of 15,245 title deeds among beneficiaries till April 30 this year while it received 3,38,661 claims from the individuals and communities.     

The government of Rajasthan has also distributed a total of 1,778 titles deeds among the beneficiaries out of a total 34,535 claims it received till April 30.     

A total of 29, 507 tile deeds have been distributed among tribals and other forest dwellers by the government of Tripura out of a total 1,60,046 claims it received till April 30.    

West Bengal government has distributed 5,249 title deeds out of a total 1,39,494 claims it received till the end of April.     

Several states, however, are still lagging in the speedy implementation of the Act despite repeated advisories from the Centre.     

Governments of Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Maharashtra have received claims from the tribals and other forest dwellers but no title deed have so far been distributed.