The BJP-led Government is open to changing laws related to rights of forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar told media persons that the Government is looking to “strengthen” the rights of tribals and other forest dwelling communities.

According to sources, deliberations have been on to look at ways in which the requirement of consent of gram sabhas can be changed. While denying any dilution of FRA, Javadekar said the issue is being looked into keeping in mind the experience of last five years. “If we have to amend laws, we will do it,” he said.

Recently, the Environment Ministry has taken steps that are seen as dilution of the Act.

In August, the Ministry passed orders allowing existing coal mines under 16 million tonne per annum to expand up to 50 per cent, and those over 16 mtpa to expand by 5 mtpa, without conducting any public hearing.

However, Javadekar defended this move saying, “Expansion of coal mines is a different ball game… (without such moves) you are denying them (tribals) the right to prosperity.” Experience, however, shows that public hearing for expansion of mines lead to protests by the local communities against such projects, the latest example of which was the Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd, where expansion plans were stalled following opposition by locals despite it getting environmental clearance.

Overlooking concerns on the issue of securing informed consent from locals, the Minister said, “Tribals have every right of development.”

Recently, Javadekar and Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari have also clashed with the Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram over dilution of FRAs in Maharashtra. Oram’s Ministry passed an order blocking the State’s attempts to dilute FRA rules with some new forest management rules.

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