Forest Rights Act, 2006

The Forest Rights Act, 2006, also known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities in India to own, access, and manage forest land and resources. It aims to correct historical injustices by granting land titles and exercising community rights, ensuring sustainable forest use and conservation. The Act empowers these communities, many of whom depend on forests for livelihood, to have a say in forest management while promoting ecological balance and social justice.