New Delhi, July 6 -- The Tribal Affairs Ministry has asked the Environment Ministry to provide scientific evidence to support the claim that granting land rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, has led to forest degradation, warning that such statements may "reinforce stereotypes" and "undermine" the law.
In an office memorandum dated July 2, addressed to the secretary of the Environment Ministry, the Tribal Affairs Ministry said, "The India State of Forest Report (IFSR) 2023 indicates that, of the several factors, negative change is also associated with the 'Titles given to beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act (2006)'."
It said the Environment Ministry should provide "a detailed scientific analysis to support this claim wit...