The Narendra Modi government has decided to give a bigger say to tribal communities and locals in the management of the country’s forests as part of the stepped up efforts to fight climate change.

A joint communication between the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change and Ministry of Tribal Affairs signed on Wednesday has been sent to all the states and union territories to implement the Forest Rights Act more effectively for harnessing the potential for livelihood improvement of the Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs).

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda stated that tribals and other forest dwellers can contribute significantly in efforts to check climate change through preservation of biodiversity, environmental conservation and enhancing forest cover.

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In his key-note address, Munda said that today’s joint communication is oriented towards the rights and duties of the forest dwellers and to improve participation of such communities in the process of forest management.

The Minister further informed the gathering that a meeting was held between both ministers on 10th August, 2020 which was intended to resolve issues in ensuring community participation in forest management and today’s joint communication, is a culmination of the series of consultations done after that.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the joint communication indicates a paradigm shift from one of working in silos to achieving convergence between Ministries and Departments, and is a very positive development.

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“Government of India is committed for development of Tribes and Tribal areas. The number of sanctioned Ekalavya Model Residential Schools has gone up to 620. Similarly, the launch of Van DhanYojana and increasing the number of Minor Forest Products in the bracket of Minimum Support Price from 10 to 86 in the last few years has supported tribes immensely in improving their incomes and livelihood prospects.” Javadekar said.

On the occasion Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta expressed  happiness and hailed the joint communication as historic that would bring all the stakeholders together and hoped that it will prove beneficial for forest dwellers. 

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