India, April 1 -- Local civil society organisations play a vital role in demanding the rights of forest-dwelling communities

The Forest Rights Act is a progressive law, geared towards protecting the rights of forest-dwelling communities to access and manage forests.

Sections 3(1)(i) and 5 of the law - that deals with the recognition of collective rights of the community to forest resources - vests decision-making powers to the gram sabha or village committee.

The passage of the rights-based legislation and the recognition of collective rights along with the demarcation and handing over of community forests is just the beginning of what appears to be a significant victory by itself.

The challenge in the implementation of the Forest Rig...