Workshop on Understanding CFRR Areas & Titles in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Date: April 17-18, 2026
A two-day workshop on understanding Community Forest Rights Recognition (CFRR) titles was held on 17–18 April 2026 at Hotel Venkatesh International, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The workshop was organised by ATREE’s Community Forest Rights – Central India Initiative and brought together civil society organisations (CSOs) working across seven districts — Baloda Bazar, Kanker, Surguja, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Bastar, Balrampur, and Raigarh.
The workshop aimed to develop practical strategies for gram sabhas to ensure the completeness and correctness of CFR areas in CFRR titles. Over the course of two days, participants were trained to use ATREE’s WebGIS and the Bhunaksha platforms to understand existing CFRR titles and recognised CFR areas using revenue and forest records.
The first day opened with an introduction to the workshop’s objectives, followed by a session by Hritik Bhatnagar (ATREE Research Associate) and Gautam Aredath (ATREE Policy Analyst) on using maps to identify potential and recognised CFR areas. CSO participants then shared their field experiences — including the nature of titles encountered and their impact on management planning. The afternoon was devoted to a group activity in which participants reviewed CFRR titles from their areas to identify CFR areas, with findings presented in a plenary session.
The second day comprised groups discussions, facilitated by Anubhav Shori (ATREE District Coordinator) and Gautam Aredath, on strategies to address potential gaps in CFRR titles, in line with recent clarifications provided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The workshop concluded with participants sharing their thoughts on next steps and support that may be needed.
