The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI), organised a National Consultative Workshop on the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, today in New Delhi. Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram highlighted that the Forest Rights Act, 2006 is a landmark legislation aimed at redressing the historical injustices faced by the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.

The Minister added that States must prioritize focused interventions that link Forest Rights Act implementation with livelihood enhancement and economic self-reliance of tribal communities. He urged States to prioritize the empowerment of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers through focused interventions, particularly in the protection, value addition, and marketing of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) such as Sal leaves and Mahua, noting that securing FRA rights is fundamental to ensuring sustainable livelihoods.