1.67 lakhs forest rights certificates distributed
Bhopal: As many as one lakh 67 thousand 416 forest rights certificates against individual and community claims have been distributed in the state under Forest Rights Act 2006 till the last month. Giving this information, Forest Minister Shri Sartaj Singh said that now no claim is pending in any district of Chambal, Gwalior and Narmadapuram divisions.
The total number of recognised claims in the state under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 is one lakh 74 thousand 653. These include one lakh 65 thousand 770 claims made by tribals and 6707 by other traditional forest dwellers. Efforts are underway to dispose of all the claims pertaining to forest lands till September-end.
In Madhya Pradesh, 22 thousand villages are situated within five kilometer radius of forest lands. Through the Act, leases are being given to those who have been occupying forest land before December 2005. Similarly, forest land rights certificates are being provided of persons belonging to other traditional forest dwellers who have been occupying forest lands upto December 2005 since three generations (minimum about 75 years).
The Forest Minister informed that a digital map of claims received under Forest Rights Act 2006 has been prepared after conducting digital survey. The digital maps of areas from where claims have been received are superimposed on high resolution satellite imagery. It verifies as to where a land claimed by a person is situated. This technique is error-free.
Awards
The software prepared by the state Forest Department for the Act’s implementation has not only been lauded by the Union Government, but has also received several awards. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has awarded the then Additional Chief Secretary Shri O.P. Rawat, Principal Secretary Shri Jaideep Govind, Shri Sanjay Dube, Smt. Rashmi Arun Shami, Shri Gulshan Bamra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Shri Anil Oberoy and Additional Director Shri Ashok Upadhyay in the year 2010.
