What is a Community Forest Resources (CFRR) Claim?
- Making a CFRR claim involves a set of processes through which gram sabhas resolve to collectively map customarily used forest area, collect evidence of forest use, seek consent from neighboring villages, and submit documents to the sub-district level committee for the verification and grant of the community forest rights title.
- A CFRR claim can be made on all forest tenures, including reserved forests, protected forests, sanctuaries, and national parks where communities have traditionally used forest resources.
What Are the Key Steps for Filing a CFRR Claim?
Forming the Forest Rights Committee (FRC)
– Gram Sabhas form an FRC following government guidelines.
– Ensure FRC roles are clearly assigned to village residents (e.g., President, Secretary).
Passing a Gram Sabha Resolution
– The Gram Sabha authorizes the FRC to initiate the claim process.
– Notify the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) and gather necessary records.
– Notify the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) and gather necessary records.
Preliminary Meetings
– FRC organizes meetings to draft a proposal for a CFRR claim.
– Coordinate with SDLC to access documents like voter lists and forest records.
– Coordinate with SDLC to access documents like voter lists and forest records.
Nazri Map Preparation
– Create a detailed map marking forest resources and community use areas.
– Collaborate with neighboring villages to resolve overlapping resource claims.
– Collaborate with neighboring villages to resolve overlapping resource claims.
Verification of Claims
– Conduct physical verification of claimed areas with officials from the Forest and Revenue Departments.
– Use GPS for accurate demarcation, if available.
– Use GPS for accurate demarcation, if available.
Compiling Claims
– Record maps and documents, ensuring traditional and revenue boundaries are defined.
– Exclude individual forest rights and revenue lands while including all eligible forest resources.
– Exclude individual forest rights and revenue lands while including all eligible forest resources.
Approval and Submission
– Present the claim to the Gram Sabha for approval.
– Submit the finalized claim to the SDLC for review.
– Submit the finalized claim to the SDLC for review.
What Challenges Are Common in CFRR Claims?
- - Lack of coordination and support from SDLC and administrative officials.
- - Difficulty accessing essential documents like forest maps and Khasra records.
- - Delays in processing claims at SDLC and DLC levels.
- - Limited awareness about FRC roles and responsibilities at the village level.
What is the Difference Between CR and CFRR?
- - Community Rights (CR): Grants rights over resources for collective use, including grazing, fishing, and biodiversity access. These may extend to neighboring village boundaries.
- - CFRR Rights: Specific to a village’s traditional boundaries, focusing on management, conservation, and use of forest resources.
- - CFRR ensures sustainable resource use while enabling communities to manage and conserve forests effectively.
