Tripura govt welcomes Centre's move to implement Forest Rights Act

Agartala, Jan 2 (UNI) The Tripura government has expressed its approval to the Centre's issuance of notification for implementing the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2007.

State Tribal Welfare and Forest Minister Jitendra Choudhury told UNI here yesterday that following the efforts of the Left Front in Tripura, the Centre had issued the notification on December 31, for recognising the forest dwellers' exclusive rights over its resources.

The major legal rights recognised under the Act included rights to cultivate forest land to the extent under occupation, subject to a ceiling of four hectares, rights to collect, use and dispose minor forest produce and the traditional and customary rights in the forests, Mr Choudhury stated.

The Act will be beneficial for the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers living in and depending on forests for their livelihood for three generations, prior to December 13, 2005, and according to the Act, the right-holders will have to ensure sustainable use, conservation of bio-diversity and maintenance of ecological balance, thereby strengthening the conservation regime of the forests.

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