NEW DELHI: The Centre has instructed all states implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to prepare a comprehensive FRA Atlas to improve identification of eligible villages, fast-track pending claims and strengthen transparency in the recognition of forest rights, the Lok Sabha was informed recently.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey said in a written reply that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which is the nodal ministry for administering the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, has been issuing directions and guidelines from time to time to ensure effective implementation of the law. As part of efforts to enable comprehensive and efficient implementation of the Act, state governments have been asked to map potential forest areas and develop an FRA Atlas.
According to the minister, the FRA Atlas is intended to help states systematically identify eligible villages, accelerate the processing of pending claims and assess gaps in implementation. The exercise is also expected to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance accountability and transparency in the recognition and vesting of forest rights.
Uikey said the ministry has been consistently engaging with state and district-level officials through meetings, conferences and other forums to address delays in settlement of claims and to encourage the filing of new claims under the Act. These engagements are aimed at resolving administrative and procedural challenges that often slow down implementation on the ground.
The minister informed the House that the status of claims recognised and pending under the FRA is monitored through monthly progress reports submitted by state governments to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. State-wise details of titles distributed and claims awaiting disposal are maintained by the ministry as part of this reporting mechanism.
He added that all states implementing the FRA have been directed to consider and dispose of claims in a time-bound manner. The ministry has asked states to actively engage with district administrations to identify and resolve bottlenecks that may be delaying the settlement of individual and community forest rights claims.
On the preparation of the FRA Atlas, Uikey said the ministry has issued an indicative approach and methodology to guide states through the exercise. The atlas is envisaged as a spatial and data-driven tool that can provide a clearer picture of forest areas where rights recognition is pending or incomplete, and where focused administrative intervention is required.
The minister also highlighted recent progress by some states in this regard. He said that Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have launched their FRA Atlases, enabling them to work towards vesting of forest rights in a more structured and time-bound manner. These launches took place on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, underscoring the government’s emphasis on tribal welfare and rights recognition.
The Forest Rights Act was enacted to correct historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers by recognising their rights over forest land and resources. However, uneven implementation across states and large pendency of claims have remained persistent challenges.
The ministry’s directive to prepare FRA Atlases is seen as a move to standardise implementation, improve monitoring and ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not left out. By combining mapping, data analysis and administrative coordination, the Centre expects states to accelerate the recognition of forest rights and strengthen the overall impact of the law.
