Date:08/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/08/stories/2007120861330100.htm

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Forest Act will be in force from January 1

Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2007, will become operational from January 1, 2008 and the rules will be notified immediately, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Friday

The announcement was made by Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyndiah soon after question hour. His statement was introduced into the day’s business at the last minute, and was welcomed with a round of applause.

The delay in notifying the Act was raised in both Houses earlier in the session and the government had assured the members that efforts were on to notify it at the earliest.

The Bill was passed last year and it secured Presidential assent this January.

The Act seeks to vest forest rights in Scheduled Tribes and other traditional dwellers.

The Scheduled Tribes and traditional dwellers will be entitled to four hectares of land. Those residing for three generations or 75 years are entitled to land rights and the right to collect and market forest produce.