Ministry of Tribal Affairs Holds FRA Review Conference in Kolkata

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) convened the Second Regional Review Conference on implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 9 and 10 October 2026. Officials from eight states attended to review claims, pending cases and implementation measures.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

The formal name of the FRA is the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. It recognises and vests forest rights in eligible Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have depended on forests for their livelihoods and habitation. The Act recognises individual and community rights, including rights over minor forest produce and community forest resources. Under Section 6, the Gram Sabha initiates the process for determining forest rights claims. Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees examine claims at subsequent stages. The Act also provides for recognition of habitat rights of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Conference participation and agenda

Officials from Tribal Welfare, Revenue and Forest Departments, along with Tribal Research Institutes, attended from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Senior officials from Andhra Pradesh were invited to share practices relating to digitisation, entry of FRA titles in government records and livelihood schemes for titleholders. District Collectors, Sub-Collectors and Integrated Tribal Development Project or Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officers from districts with high claim pendency also participated. The conference agenda included expediting pending claims, reviewing rejected applications, digitising records, recognising Community Forest Resource Rights and PVTG habitat rights, and strengthening Gram Sabhas.

Claim status and administrative review

As of 31 August 2026, more than 54 lakh claims had been received nationally. Approximately 25 lakh titles had been distributed, around 11 lakh claims remained pending at different stages, and more than 18 lakh claims had been rejected. Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam accounted for a substantial share of pending claims, with backlogs concentrated in particular districts. Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranjana Chopra and West Bengal Tribal Development Department Principal Secretary Smt. Choten Dhendup Lama inaugurated the conference on 9 October 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Forest Rights Act was enacted in 2006 and is administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Section 6 of the Act assigns the Gram Sabha the initial role in the process of determining forest rights claims.
• The Act covers individual rights, community rights and Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups may receive recognition of habitat rights under the Act.

The Forest Rights Act provides for a multi-level claims process involving Gram Sabhas, Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees. Community Forest Resource Rights concern the customary community use and management of forest resources.