Potential for Recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights Under India’s Forest Rights Act

Abstract

The implementation of Community Forest (CF) rights and Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006 can help transform forest governance and rural livelihoods in India. The recognition of CF/CFR Rights under the Forest Rights Act provides the Indian state with a historic opportunity to implement the largest land reform ever in India. Through the FRA, at least 150 million forest-dwelling people have gained the opportunity to have their rights recognized over a minimum of 40 million hectares of forest land that they have been managing, using, and interacting with in more than 170,000 villages.