Building capacities for recognising CFR rights in Bastar
Date: Oct 16, 2023
The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 is a landmark law that enables the decentralization of forest governance by restoring the rights of forest-dwelling communities to manage their forests. Communities, in the form of village Gram Sabhas, can claim these rights, known as Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights, which then have to be mapped and recognized by the district administration. Since October 2021, ATREE, through its Forests, Governance and Livelihoods programme, has been engaged in building capacities of villagers and local officials in Bastar District to enable the proper recognition of CFRs. This short documentary gives an overview of these efforts at the end of two years, and our thoughts about the way ahead.