Challenges in Forest Governance in India 

Context: Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department has designated itself as the nodal agency for implementing Community Forest Resource Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This has sparked backlash from Gram Sabhas and Tribal Rights Groups.

The Forest Rights Act 2006

• The Forest Rights Act 2006 was enacted in 2006 and came into force in 2008. Also known as Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act.
• The Act recognises and grants legal rights over land and forest resources to Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations. 
• A key component is the Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), which:
  • Empowers Gram Sabhas to manage, protect, and conserve their customary forest areas. Gram Sabha is the nodal authority for initiating claims and managing community forests.  
  • Recognises traditional knowledge, practices, and sustainable forest use.
  • Transfers authority from state-led forest departments to community-led governance. 

Recent Controversy in Chhattisgarh: 

Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department attempted to designate itself as the nodal agency for CFRR implementation under the Forest Rights Act 2006. This action: 

• Contravenes the FRA which vests authority in Gram Sabhas.
• Violates gram sabhas’ statutory authority to implement locally developed management plans in their community forest resource (CFR) areas by insisting on a model plan from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), though not mandated by law.
• Prohibits NGOs and other departments from assisting Gram Sabhas in Community Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) management planning. 

Following grassroots resistance, the letter was withdrawn. However, it reflects a broader institutional reluctance to cede control to local communities.

Key Issues in Forest Management in India:  

• Colonial Legacy of Scientific Forestry: Forest management in India is still rooted in the colonial model of forestry focused on timber extraction, not ecosystem health or community welfare. Early working plans even recommended clear-felling natural forests and replacing them with monoculture plantations.
• Top down Working Plans: Forest departments continue to rely on working plans guided by the National Working Plan Code (NWPC). These plans are bureaucratic, top-down, and often disregard local ecological and livelihood needs.
• Resistance to Decentralisation: Despite FRA’s mandate, forest departments resist transferring control to Gram Sabhas. Over 10,000 Gram Sabhas have received CFRR titles, but fewer than 1,000 have prepared management plans. Forest departments often delay claims, revoke titles, deny funds, and refuse to recognise community plans- undermining decentralised forest governance.
• Inadequate Adaptation to Ecological Realities: Forest working plans are rigid and linear, poorly suited to climate change and ecosystem complexity.

Way Forward

• Uphold FRA Provisions: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) must reaffirm that Gram Sabhas are the sole authority in CFR management.
• Phase out NWPC (National Working Plan Code) for Community Forest Resource areas with contextual, adaptive, and locally prepared plans.
• Capacity Building & Support: Forest departments should facilitate rather than obstruct; funding and training must be ensured.

• Use Flexible Frameworks: Initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan should be scaled and improved.
• Promote People-Centric forest management: Shift from timber extraction to community-led conservation and resilience.

India’s forest management needs to shift  from timber-oriented bureaucracy to community-driven, ecologically sensitive governance. Recognising the Gram Sabha as the central planning authority, as per the FRA, is essential for sustainable and inclusive forest conservation.

Also Read: Guidelines for Management of Community Forest Resources (CFR) under Forest Rights Act (FRA)