Forest Rights Act, 2006 implementation issue in Odisha
Context
The decision of the Odisha government to shut down Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells has drawn scrutiny from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, raising important questions about implementation of tribal land rights.
What is the issue?
Over the past six months:
Odisha has shut down FRA Cells operating at:
District level
Tehsil level
Now 50 sub-divisional levels
Support staff have reportedly been discontinued.
Pending claims are directed to be cleared by March-end.
The latest closure concerns FRA Cells under:
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA)
Launched in 2024.
Provides additional human resources.
Supports:
Claim processing
Digitisation
Record maintenance
Faster title issuance
Earlier, Odisha had also discontinued personnel under:
Mo Jungle Jami Yojana
A State-level initiative to strengthen FRA implementation.
About the Forest Rights Act, 2006
The FRA was enacted to:
Recognise historical injustices against:
Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs)
Grant:
Individual Forest Rights (IFR)
Community Rights (CR)
Community Forest Resource Rights (CFR)
Key feature:
Recognition of rights is based on Gram Sabha verification, not merely forest department approval.
Why is this significant?
1. Odisha’s paradox
Second-highest number of titles issued after Chhattisgarh
Yet:
Sixth-highest pendency rate
20% of 7.69 lakh claims pending
As of August 2025:
1.22 lakh individual claims pending
13,667 community rights claims pending
12,934 community forest rights claims pending
Shutting down support structures while pendency remains high raises implementation concerns.
Role of FRA Cells
FRA Cells typically assist in:
Processing and verification
Technical mapping
Record maintenance
Supporting Gram Sabhas
Digitisation of titles
Their closure may:
Slow down disposal
Increase bureaucratic bottlenecks
Affect tribal access to legal rights
Constitutional and legal dimensions
1. Fifth Schedule Areas
Odisha has large Scheduled Areas governed under:
Article 244
Fifth Schedule of the Constitution
The Governor has special responsibility for tribal welfare.
2. PESA Act linkage
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 strengthens:
Gram Sabha authority
Community control over natural resources
Weakening FRA infrastructure may undermine decentralised forest governance.
Centre-State dimension
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
Is the nodal ministry for FRA.
Has begun inquiries.
Has indicated that support staff will be ensured “at all levels.”
This reflects a potential Centre–State coordination issue in:
Centrally sponsored tribal welfare schemes
Administrative autonomy of States
About Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA)
Overview
Launched on 2 October 2024, DAJGUA is a flagship, mission-mode programme for holistic development and benefit saturation in tribal-dominated villages across India. It seeks to bridge infrastructure and human-development gaps through coordinated action by multiple Ministries.
Objectives
Achieve 100% awareness and saturation of key welfare benefits
Close critical infrastructure gaps in tribal villages
Improve access to health, education, Anganwadi and livelihoods
Ensure last-mile delivery through convergence of schemes
Mission statement: “Bringing Government Benefits to Every Tribal Doorstep.”
Coverage and Scale
63,843 tribal-dominated villages
549 districts, 2,911 blocks
30 States/UTs
Beneficiaries: 5+ crore tribals
Duration: 5 years
Institutional Architecture
25 interventions implemented by 17 line Ministries/Departments
Dedicated budgets and targets for each Ministry
Convergence of existing schemes, leveraging DAPST (Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes) funds
Emphasis on measurable outcomes and coordinated monitoring
Key Focus Areas
1) Infrastructure
Roads, electrification, drinking water
Digital connectivity
Upgrading Anganwadi centres
2) Health
Strengthening primary healthcare access
Outreach in remote habitations
Special drive for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) awareness, screening and counseling in affected tribal States
3) Education & Nutrition
School access and retention
Early childhood care services
Nutrition support via Anganwadi network
4) Livelihoods
Skill development
Forest-based livelihoods and value addition
SHG strengthening and market linkages
Linkages
Complements PM-JANMAN (focused on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)
Aligns with SDGs on poverty reduction, health, education and reduced inequalities
Core Principles
Janbhagidari (people’s participation)
Whole-of-Government approach
Convergence over duplication
Grassroots, last-mile delivery
Significance
DAJGUA represents a shift from fragmented scheme implementation to a convergent, saturation-based tribal development model, aiming to ensure that no tribal household is left out of essential public services and entitlements.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), consider the following statements:
It was launched in 2024.
It aims to achieve saturation of benefits in tribal-dominated villages.
It is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded and implemented by the Union Government.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: It was launched on 2 October 2024.
Statement 2 is correct: It focuses on benefit saturation and infrastructure gaps in tribal villages.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, implemented in coordination with States.
Q. The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) is primarily intended to:
(a) Finance urban infrastructure projects
(b) Channel funds for tribal development components of schemes
(c) Provide crop insurance to tribal farmers
(d) Regulate forest diversion projects
Answer: (b) Channel funds for tribal development components of schemes
Explanation:
DAPST ensures earmarked funds within Ministries’ budgets are directed towards Scheduled Tribe welfare and development.