Raipur (thestates.news) | Chhattisgarh Forest Department has played a proactive, constructive, and exemplary role in recognizing and distributing both Individual and Community Forest Resource Rights under The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. So far, the state has granted an impressive 478,641 Individual Rights and 4,349 CFRR titles covering a total area of 2,006,224 hectares, thereby legally empowering millions of forest-dwelling families. This notable achievement stands as clear testimony to the State’s administrative commitment, transparency, and dedication to sustainable development.
During the course of CFRR implementation, in the absence of model management plans and detailed guidelines, the Department issued only an advisory to its field officers to ensure that community management plans are scientifically harmonized with the National Working Plan Code, 2023. This advisory became necessary because, without a clear framework, field-level implementation was increasingly inconsistent, posing serious risks of ecological degradation, conflict with MoEF&CC-approved working plans, and potential disputes among communities and departments. Some NGOs and Gram Sabhas perceived this advisory as an attempt to restrict rights, whereas the Department’s sole intent was to ensure transparent, sustainable, and legally robust management preparedness.
The letter dated 15.05.2025 issued by the Office was purely an interim procedural measure directing that only approved CFR management plans be implemented until model plans were issued. This letter inadvertently referred to the Forest Department as the “Nodal Agency,” while the correct designation was “Facilitator.” This typographical error was duly corrected by a corrigendum dated 23.06.2025. In view of the confusion that arose, Hon’ble Minister for Forest & Climate Change, Shri Kedar Kashyap, directed the withdrawal of both the letter and the clarification, which has been effected through Office Letter No. 536 dated 03.07.2025, and the withdrawal process is currently under implementation.
To take forward the implementation of CFRR in the true spirit of the Act and the joint guidelines dated 14.03.2024, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department has formally requested the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change to urgently issue model CFR management plans aligned with the National Working Plan Code, 2023, to provide detailed implementation guidelines, and to publish a comprehensive training module or handbook for the capacity building of master trainers and all stakeholders including Gram Sabha representatives.
The Chhattisgarh Forest Department reaffirms its commitment to implement CFRR in a fully transparent, scientific, and participatory manner, integrating traditional knowledge and ensuring the rightful recognition and sustainable management of community forest resources across the state.
