Tribals protest manner of FRA implementation in Odisha

Hundreds of tribals and forest dwellers today staged a demonstration here protesting the manner in which the Odisha government is implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
The agitators under the banner of Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), raised slogan demanding empowerment of Gram Sabha (village committee), declaration of forested villages as revenue villages and stop plantation on agricultural fields among others.
The CSD leaders said the agitation was organised to protest against the forest department for allegedly doing plantation over the occupied forest lands in different districts and for launching anti-FRA 'Ama Jungle Yojana,' 'Banayana' and JICA Project."
They alleged that while the state government had been saying that it was the number one state in terms of settling claims, the administration had undermined the authority of the 'Gram Sabha' and haphazardly issued titles without demarcation and even application and approval of the Gram Sabhas.

They also alleged that most of the CFR (Community Forest Rights) claims filed by Gram Sabhas were mostly pending for disposal since years together in all districts.