Forest Rights Act, 2006 – FRA Cells
Background
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is revamping Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells and replacing them with broader Project Monitoring Units (PMUs) at State and District levels.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has established Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA).
The objective is to strengthen institutional mechanisms and databases for effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, officially titled:
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises:
The Ministry funds implementation through its Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) programme. | ||
Structure of FRA Cells
State-Level FRA Cell
Comprises 3 hired personnel:
Program Coordinator (FRA)
IT/Data/Program Expert
MIS Assistant (FRA)
District / Sub-Divisional Level FRA Cell
Comprises 2 hired personnel:
Coordinator (FRA)
MIS / FRA Associate
Objectives of FRA Cells
FRA Cells are meant to:
Assist in completion of recognition of forest rights:
Individual Forest Rights (IFR)
Community Forest Rights (CFR)
Digitize forest rights records.
Prepare development plans for:
IFR beneficiaries
CFR beneficiaries
→ To enable convergence with Government schemes.
Assist in conversion of:
Forest villages → Revenue villages.
Create awareness and sensitization among stakeholders:
Gram Sabhas
Tribal communities
Officials
As per the Act and Rules, State Governments are responsible for implementation of FRA provisions.
Administrative Significance
Governance
Strengthening institutional capacity at sub-State levels.
Focus on MIS-based monitoring and digitisation.
Federal Structure
Centre provides funding and institutional support.
States retain implementation responsibility.
Social Justice Dimension
Operationalising Article 244 and Fifth Schedule spirit.
Recognition of traditional forest dwellers’ tenure rights.
Enabling livelihood convergence through scheme integration.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ (DA-JGUA), consider the following statements:
It was launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
One of its objectives is to strengthen institutional mechanisms for implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
It is implemented exclusively by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: DA-JGUA was launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Statement 2 is correct: A key objective is strengthening institutional mechanisms and databases for implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is not implemented exclusively by MoEFCC; FRA implementation is primarily the responsibility of State Governments, with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Q. Consider the following functions of FRA Cells:
Digitization of forest rights records
Assisting in conversion of forest villages into revenue villages
Granting environmental clearances for forest diversion
Preparing plans for IFR and CFR beneficiaries for scheme convergence
Which of the above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
1 is correct: FRA Cells assist in digitisation of records.
2 is correct: They assist in convergence of forest villages to revenue villages.
3 is incorrect: Environmental clearances are governed by separate laws like the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
4 is correct: FRA Cells prepare plans for Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR) beneficiaries for availing Government schemes.