Tribal-farmer orgs to protest "poor implementation" of Forest

The Bhumi Adhikar Andolan representing various tribal and farmer organisations today said it will stage protest later this week against "poor implementation" of Forest Rights Act, which completes 10 years of enactment this month, by states and the Centre, which it accused of working as an agent of corporates.
Speaking to reporters here, representatives of the Andolan, an union of various tribal and farmer organisations, also expressed concerns over demonetisation move, saying it has hit hard forest dwellers, pushing them to a "state of alienation".
"The present NDA government is working as an agent of corporates. It is favouring them in a way that they are clearly making attempts at diluting the FRA and making amendments in some land laws too.

"We will raise this and other issues relating to the Act during our protest on December 15 to mark completion of the law's enactment here, Hannan Mollah, general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (36 Canning Lane), one of the constituents of the Andolan told reporters.
Under the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, official land deeds are handed over to eligible dwellers. There are two sets of rights that may be granted to dwellers: individual and at the level of communities.
Of the total 47 lakh claims received from tribals individually during the decade, only 17 lakh have been accepted by governments.

"...While claims made by 81 percent tribals have been rejected. This is done to help big corporates. Land costs are not going to come down. That is why corporates are after grabbing such lands," Mollah alleged.

Asked why the Andolan leaders are blaming Centre over the issue when the Act is supposed to be implemented by states, Mollah pointed out it was the central government which framed the law and therefore, it is also responsible for ensuring the act is implemented effectively.
"The Centre enacted the law. It has a role to play along with states. They have this responsibility to see forest dwellers get their due rights. If they don't ensure that, we will up the pressure," Mollah, also CPI(M) Politburo member, said.

Besides Mollah, national convener of National Alliance for People's Movement Madhuresh Kumar, All India Union of Forest Working People's general secretary Ashok Chowdhury and Akhil Bhartiya Khet Mazdoor Union's Sunit Chopra addressed the press.