ANNOUNCEMENTS
FRA stipulates a bottom-up multi-tier system of local governance which entails many administrative departments and multiple layers of official work. But there seems to be an ideological divide between various departments leading to the complexities while ascertaining legitimate interests in forest governance. The obstructive bureaucracy compounded by minimal awareness of officials as well as intended beneficiaries, minimal efforts to spread awareness of the provisions of the act, misinterpretation/confusion regarding the provisions of the act, poor funding and capacity building, multiplicity of laws, varied interpretations etc., is leading to unequitable decision making. All such curable factors combined are leading to a thin interpretation of FRA which in fact, is leading to increase in delay in rightful title conferment.
The deeply contested act, hailed by the adivasis as a major achievement, and considered as a significant step in achieving social justice by recognizing the vulnerabilities of adivasis and strengthening them, might fail the beneficiaries if not practiced with proper guidance, seriousness and institutional support.
The proposed study seeks to investigate the implications of FRA and issues plaguing its functioning, hence obstructing the legislation from realizing its potential.
