'Some states lag behind in implementing Forest Act'

NEW DELHI: Despite several advisories from the Centre, over a dozen states lag behind in implementation of the provisions of the Act granting rights on forest land to scheduled tribes and traditional forest-dwellers.

These states are yet to take concrete steps towards the "speedy implementation" of the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, sources in the Tribal Affairs Ministry said.

Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shot two missives to each of the states since January in this regard, the sources said.

The Centre had brought the Act to give forest rights, including forest land, to scheduled tribes and traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such areas for generations.

Only Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tripura and West Bengal have taken "considerable" initiatives in the implementation of the provisions of the Act and they have also started receiving claims from the tribals, the sources said.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan even have started distributing title deeds to the "bona fide" tribals and other forest dwellers.

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttarkhand, Anadman and Nicobar Island and Daman and Diu are yet to appoint nodal officers in their states which is a basic requirement for the implementation of the Act.