Quick links: WebGIS, Aamcho CFR
WHAT IS CFR POTENTIAL MAPPING?
- CFR Potential Mapping is a methodology to estimate the forest areas that communities are likely to claim under India's Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.
- This establishes a baseline estimate to compare forested areas currently recognized under CFRR with that of the potential CFRR area
- It empowers community members, community workers, CSO partners, and state agencies, to identify areas where there are gaps in implementation of FRA and the areas where claim-making can be initiated.
HOW IS CFR POTENTIAL ESTIMATED?
Two key data sources are used:
- Village-based Forest Data
- Villages with over 10 hectares of forest land in revenue records (as per Census data) are identified as having potential for CFR rights.
- Reserved Forest Adjacency
- All villages adjacent to Reserved Forests are identified
- A 2 km buffer into Reserved Forests (RF) is added for these villages to estimate traditional forest use areas
This method captures forest areas not recorded in revenue boundaries that may potentially be claimed as CFR. By combining these datasets, a comprehensive map of CFR-eligible villages and potential areas under CFR is created and ready for validation based on an on-field, community-led claim-making process.
HOW DOES GIS SUPPORT CFR potential MAPPING?
GIS (Geographic Information System) technology is used to refine and visualize estimates of CFR Potential through the following steps;
- Digitizing Village Boundaries : Shapefiles of village boundaries are corrected and linked to Census data allowing improved understanding of the potential impact of CFR on forest dependent communities
- Integrating Land-Use Data : Forest areas within revenue boundaries of villages derived from census tables are tied to corresponding villages.
- Mapping potential CFR areas outside revenue boundaries : A 2 km inward buffer is drawn into Reserve Forests to estimate forest areas that may be under community use and can be claimed under CFRR for management.
GIS enables precise, adaptable mapping, highlights data gaps, and supports on-ground validation efforts.
Results: Estimated CFR Potential
WHY IS CFR POTENTIAL MAPPING IMPORTANT?
- Using the GIS-based CFR mapping methodology revealed vast potential for CFR claim-making across states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra
- Gaps between potential and actual areas under CFR can be identified
- It helps in identifying target areas for hand-holding communities in the claim-making process.
- GIS-based mapping ensures effective monitoring and implementation of CFR rights.
CFR Mapping is a step toward equitable forest management and a stronger community-led conservation future.
Quick links: WebGIS, Aamcho CFR
