Forest Rights Committees

Forest Rights Committees (FRCs) are local groups formed under Indian laws to represent forest-dwelling communities. They enable these communities to claim and manage rights over forest land, resources, and related livelihood activities. FRCs help ensure that indigenous and tribal peoples have a say in the conservation and sustainable use of forests, promoting their social, economic, and cultural rights. Typically elected by community members, these committees act as a bridge between the government and the local populations, facilitating the implementation of laws aimed at empowering marginalized groups and promoting forest governance rooted in community participation.