Implementation of Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (ROFR) Act in Andhra Pradesh - A situational analysis

Abstract

A fundamental problem is the abysmal level of awareness about the Act, rights and processes among the beneficiaries. The respondents are not aware of the provisions under the FRA Act. The community members did not even know under which Act/scheme the land was being vested to them, thus, concealing the most significant aspect of the law. It is important to develop a detailed strategy of training and capacity building of people responsible for implementing the FRA, such as Panchayats, Gram Sabha, village level Forest Rights committee etc. Since Forest Rights Committee is key to the implementation of the Act, training of FRC members about their functions and procedures is important to be followed. There is a need of mass campaign about the rules among the forest dependents and officials involved in the implementation process. NGOs can play an important role in the campaign. There is also a need of equal representation of women in forest rights committees, sub-divisional, district and state level committees. Large-scale awareness and information dissemination campaigns are required at local level informing both tribal and lower level officials.