Forest Rights Act, 2006: Its Implementation And Impact In Tribal Villages Of Mundgod Taluk, Karnataka - A Study
- IJLLR Journal
- Nov 4
- 2 min read
Dr. Ashok Yadav & Shoba R., Research Scholar, Shri.Venkateshwara University
ABSTRACT
The tribal communities are mainly living in the forest land of the country and one of the most vulnerable marginalized and isolated social groups in the country’s development process. Around 104.3 million (10.43 crore) people in India are belonging to various tribal community. There are 705 tribal groups notified in 30 States/UTs, which constitute 8.6% of the total population of India (census of India 2011). These communities are still lagging behind in terms of several socio-economic indicators. The tribal communities of India have an integral and close relationship with forests and dependent on the forests for their livelihood and existence. The primary occupation of these forest dwellers is mostly dependence on agriculture and the collection of minor forest produce. Tribal life and livelihoods mainly depend on traditional agricultural activities such as cultivation, plantations and collection of other non-timber forest produce (NTFP) etc.
As said above, tribal livelihood mainly depends on traditional agricultural activity. It is also observed that there are various challenges and difficulties faced in implementing Forest Rights Act and as a result, the distribution of land to these tribals and OTFDs is very poor. Due to delay process in the administration, many claimants have not received their land even after implementation of this Act.
It is commonly observed that most of the FRA beneficiaries are using the temporarily allotted land and cultivating the given land.
FRA has been implemented in the State since 2008. Karnataka has played a leading role in implementing FRA across the country. The land rights have been given among the STs and to Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). This study is important to evaluate the FRA and its significance towards enhancing the livelihood of tribal community in the state. It is also important to examine the changes of livelihood status among the tribals especially Tribals at Mundgod Taluk, Karnataka State after getting the land right under FRA. It is important to identify the influencing factors responsible for improving tribals livelihood through FRA as well as challenges of FRA mostly faced by the tribals in the state.
The implementation process of FRA in Karnataka and the impact of Forest Rights Act on livelihood among these vulnerable tribal groups in Karnataka is becoming a far-fetched idea.
Keywords: Tribal Community, vulnerable, STs, OTFDs, FRA, implementation, temporary land, Mundgod Taluk.
