Training, Capacity Building and Support for Decision-Making for CFRR Recognition & Management in Bastar District
Summary Report of Activities and Outputs For entire Project Period (6 October 2021 to 5 October 2022)
1. BACKGROUND
Bastar District is well-endowed with forest, covering 40% of its geographical area. More than 80% of its population is likely to be forest-dependent, considering that Scheduled Tribes, mainly forest-dwellers, alone comprise 70% of the district’s population.
The Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) provisions under the Forest Rights Act of 2006 (FRA) provide an excellent opportunity to bring about a transformative change in rural livelihoods and improve forest management by decentralizing forest governance. In Bastar District, the transformative potential of CFRRs is very high, with more than 400 out of 607 villages holding the potential for recognition of community forest resource rights.
By mid-2021, CFRR titles had been recognized in more than 120 villages. However, the District Administration identified several challenges in CFRR recognition and issues needing attention to ensure post-recognition CFR management for forest conservation and livelihood enhancement:
- Lacunae in CFRR recognition: Lack of awareness in titled villages and incorrect areas claimed/recognized.
- Reaching remote villages: Need to reach more remote and forested villages.
- Integration of IFR data: Need to integrate Individual Forest Rights (IFR) data into CFRR recognition.
- Conflict resolution: Need to understand and address conflicts between villages regarding CFRR claims.
- Capacity building: Need for clarity and capacity for post-recognition CFR management planning.
- Integration with government schemes: Need to interface existing government schemes regarding non-timber forest products (NTFPs) with CFR Gram Sabhas.