Tribal Affairs Secretary says community rights have potential to ‘strengthen gram sabha-led forest governance’
Union Tribal Affairs Secretary Ranjana Chopra has urged state governments to prioritize community forest rights to improve local governance. This follows controversy regarding the Ministry's recent stance on whether Gram Sabha consent is required for forest land diversion.
Why it matters
The debate over forest rights and local consent is critical for balancing industrial development projects with the legal protections of indigenous and tribal communities in India.
Union Tribal Affairs Secretary Ranjana Chopra on Thursday (September 10, 2026) called for State governments to pay “greater attention” to recognising community forest rights and community forest resource rights under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, pointing to their “potential to strengthen Gram Sabha-led forest governance and community-based livelihoods”.
Ms. Chopra’s remarks came at a regional conference in Bengaluru over the implementation of the 2006 law, days after the Tribal Affairs Ministry’s own office memorandum, claiming that the FRA has “no provision for Gram Sabha consent” to divert forest land, led to severe criticism from Opposition leaders and Adivasi and forest dweller organisations alike.
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