Forests rights act

FOREST LAWS THAT IMPACTED THE LIVES OF TRIBALS IN INDIA

  • The Indian Forest Act, 1865

    The Indian Forest Act, 1865
    The act empowered the British government to declare any land covered with trees as a government forest and make rules to manage it. The law also made teak wood a government property. The forests which was under tribals domain till then went to the Britishers.
  • The Indian Forest Act,1878

    The Indian Forest Act,1878
    It was an amendment of earlier law. It divided Indian forests into reserved forests protected forests and village forests. Protected forests were partially and reserved forests were completely under government's control. While village forests were controlled by abutting villages. As Most of the forests were reserved, it was easy for the government to oppress tribals.
  • The Indian forest act, 1927

    The Indian forest act, 1927
    The Indian Forest Act,1927 aimed to regulate the movement of forest produce, and duty leviable forest produce. This act has details of what a forest offence is, what are the acts prohibited inside a Reserved Forest, and penalties leviable on violation of the provisions of the Act. The three act together helped the government to have full control over the forests. Many tribes lost their livelihood and even migrated in search of employment.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

    Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
    It Prohibited the hunting of wild animals and collection of plants in areas protected by state. The Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was largely outlawed. Tribals not only lose their traditional right to hunt wild animals but also an integral part of their meal.
  • The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Schedule Areas) Act 1996 (PESA)

    The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Schedule Areas) Act 1996 (PESA)
    PESA empowers Gram Sabha/Panchayat at appropriate level with right to mandatory consultation in land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons. PESA seeks to reduce alienation in tribal areas as they will have better control over the utilisation of public resources.
  • The Scheduled tribes and other traditional dwellers (Recognition of forest rights) Act, 2006)

    The Scheduled tribes and other traditional dwellers (Recognition of forest rights) Act, 2006)
    The act recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs. It gives the tribals community or individual forest rights.