09-Sep-2019
In a compliance affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in an on-going litigation by Wildlife First, challenging the constitutional validity of the law, Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), the Madhya Pradesh (MP) government acknowledged the historical injustices and the marginalized nature of tribal communities and Other Traditional…
08-Sep-2019
In this story we explore various elements required, the boxes that need to be ticked, before forest dwelling people can file claims for the rightful ownership of land under FRA, 2006. What exactly does it take to claim their lands? Is it just a question of completing a bunch of paperwork? What does the process entail?…
04-Sep-2019
In a crucial intervention in the on-going litigation by Wildlife First challenging the constitutional validity of the law, Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, the Chhattisgarh state, in its affidavit filed in July 2019, not only recognises the lapses in recognition of forest rights, but also suggests the way forward. In its affidavit filed as a…
05-Aug-2019
Adivasi human rights defenders Sokalo Gond and Nivada Rana have moved Supreme Court praying for justice for millions of forest dwellers, especially women, who have been denied forest rights, and now face the prospect of eviction from their traditional habitats. The duo have filed an intervention application in the ongoing case led by Wildlife First.…
24-Jul-2019
वनाधिकार आंदोलन की लगभग 40 वर्षीय नेता निवादा राणा चार बच्चों की माँ हैं। उन्होंने अपने ऊपर घातक हमले होने के बावजूद पूरी दृढ़ता के साथ संघर्ष को आगे बढ़ाने का संकल्प लिया है। जब वे हम पर वन्यजीवों को नष्ट करने का आरोप लगा रहे थे, तो मैं सब समझ रही थी; मैंने…
23-Jul-2019
Protests to defend provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, oppose proposed draconian amendments to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and against the government’s antipathy towards the forest dwelling communities, erupted across India on July 22, 2019. More than 30,000 people participated in protests at various locations in different states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh,…
23-Jul-2019
In her 40s now, and a mother of four children, forest movement leader Nivada Rana not only sustained near fatal attacks, but has resolved to carry forward the struggle with more resolve. When they accuse us of destroying wildlife, I am very clear; I tell them that they are spreading falsehoods. I tell them,…
16-Jul-2019
The Telangana Government is contemplating to replace the Telangana Forest Act 1967 with a new law – the Telangana Forest Act (TFA) 2019, trampling the rights of adivasis ensured under the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA Act 2006) and Panchayats Extension to Schedule Area (PESA) Act…
16-Jul-2019
On May 15, 2019 Dadi Kadraka, an activist with the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti that has put up a relentless fight against corporate takeover of their revered God Niyamraja, was arrested from the Muniguda market. Human rights groups and local activists have condemned this act, pointing out that the charges under which he was booked —…
15-Jul-2019
Villagers and forest dwelling people from as many as twelve villages in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh (UP) gathered to commemorate the death anniversary of human rights defender Sokalo Gond’s son, Mithilesh Gond, on Sunday, July 14. Mithilesh died six years ago in a Hindalco hospital located in Renukoot, UP reportedly because of the negligence of the…