Training for Elected Representatives

A workshop was organized for elected representatives of Gram Panchayats and  Block Panchayats on 15th of December. Elected representatives are unaware of the  roles of different actors in the FRA claim-making process. Main focus of the  workshop was on training the representatives on various aspects of the FRA and its  implementation, and listening to their views on the same. The workshop started with  a two-way discussion on the history of forest-related issues in Dindori district.  

Balwant Rahangdale provided the background of the training in the first session.  Balram Padoti, then led the session on historical injustices, background, and the  main provisions of the Forest Rights Act, and explained the differences between  Community Rights (access rights) and CFR rights (management rights). The next  

session was led by Mohit Mahajan who explained different types of maps and the  use of WebGIS for understanding land records for claim making. This was followed  by a detailed presentation on the main steps of CFR claim-making and the use of  different formats. 

The representatives expressed displeasure about the process of claim-making that is  largely controlled by the lower bureaucracy in the block. The president of the Block  Panchayat appealed to her colleagues to raise awareness among elected  representatives to hold the administration accountable.  

Two forest villages have completed wall-to-wall mapping of individual fields and  mapping of traditional forest boundaries for IFR and CFR. The claims are being  processed at the district level for the preparation of title deeds. Some other Gram  Sabhas have passed resolutions for wall-to-wall mapping. The Baiga Chak team is  engaging with the community and the statecraft to simplify the claim-making for  Individual and Community Forest Rights.