Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP)’s Post

Digital inclusion of marginalised communities! This is what we have documented in our second good practice note. Please do give it a read! CGIAR International Rice Research Institute Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP)

Advancing Forest Rights in Jharkhand: One-Day Policy and Research Dialogue on FRA, 2006 🌳 We’re thrilled to share key insights from the' One-Day Policy and Research Dialogue on the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006', organized by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi, and Foundation For Ecological Security (FES). This dialogue brought together scholars, activists, policymakers, and community leaders to address the pressing challenges around community forest rights in Jharkhand. Despite Jharkhand’s rich forest cover and large tribal population, only 4% of the 47 lakh acres of potential forest land under FRA has been recognized (Source: ATREE report). The state’s new 'Abua Bir Abua Dishom' program aims to change this. Our workshop provided a crucial platform to assess these efforts and discuss ways to support forest-dependent communities. 💡 Key Discussions: - Examining the Abua Bir Abua Dishom program to secure rights for tribal communities. - Addressing regional variations in FRA implementation and the impact on forest conservation and community welfare. - Exploring Indigenous knowledge systems and their role in sustainable forest management. - Analyzing case studies of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) livelihoods, state interventions, and forest diversion. The discussions focused on overcoming obstacles to FRA implementation and developing policy recommendations to empower Jharkhand’s tribal communities. As Mr. Ajay Nath Jha, Tribal Welfare Commissioner, noted: "This workshop is an essential step toward securing the rights of people through collaborative efforts and research." Prof. Geetanjoy Sahu of TISS emphasized: "Despite significant forest cover and a large tribal population, Jharkhand has lagged in implementing the FRA. This workshop aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice, addressing concerns and creating dialogue between people and policymakers." We’re excited about the strengthened network of stakeholders and the shared commitment to scaling up successful models for forest governance. Together, we can ensure that the Forest Rights Act delivers on its promise to Jharkhand’s most vulnerable communities. #ForestRights #FRA2006 #TribalRights #Jharkhand #SustainableDevelopment #IndigenousKnowledge #CommunityForests

Technology plays a key role in land mapping ,demarcation ,documentation ,land record correction and makes the process easy ,transparent for the forest dwellers to claim their rights on forest land and customary forest resources. Technology also supports faster verification of claims ,data tracking and monitoring at various levels. PRADAN with support of Cadasta foundation has developed CLMDT (Community land mapping and demarcation tool ) in the form of an android mobile phone-based application that supports in mapping for IFR, CR and CFRR claims under FRA, 2006 ,land mapping for conversion of forest villages to revenue villages and also in CFR management . Technology is no longer a distant Subject, forest dwellers and local cadres are using CLMDT in facilitating faster implementation of FRA 2006. Here is the best practice note from one of the fields of PRADAN . PRADAN # Cadasta Foundation #CRISP India

What is 'Convergence' in the context of #ForestRights ? Rule 16 of #ForestRightsAct directs the State Government to ensure that all government programs and schemes related to forest conservation, livelihoods and overall welfare are provide to the forest dependent communities. Accordingly, many State Governments have passed various progressive and enabling convergence resolutions. So, #Convergence is aligning or integrating various government schemes, programs, resources, and institutional frameworks to support community efforts in forest conservation, resource management, and livelihood enhancement and overall welfare of forest dependent communities. Forest-dependent communities face interlinked challenges of poverty, illiteracy, environmental degradation and loss of community forest resources and livelihood. Hence, a multi-pronged approach is essential to tackle these holistically. This approach helps in reducing fragmentation as isolated efforts by different departments often dilute the impact of governance. #Convergence brings coherence to government actions so that community effectively benefits from development schemes and initiatives that enhance their livelihoods, conserve ecosystems, and build resilience. We recently participated in Bloc Level Convergence Committee (BLCC) Meeting at Shahapur taluka of Thane district in Maharashtra. As a part of our action-research project in Murbad taluka of Thane district, we showcased our project work which includes insights from on ground surveys, capacity building workshops for CFRMC members and overall community engagement. Most importantly, we also, presented 'Community Forest Resource Management plan' for one of the village from the intervention area. In the meeting, discussions emphasized the role of #GramSabhas in managing Community Forest Resources (CFRs) effectively, with support from departments like Forest, Revenue, and Tribal Welfare. The focus was on empowering communities to make and implement conservation plans while accessing all the required technical, collaborative support from civil society organizations and most importantly from government especially #forestdepartment. - Stakeholder Collaboration: Representatives from government departments, local communities, and civil society organizations shared insights and identified challenges in implementing convergence at the grassroots level. - Capacity Building and Next Steps: Plans were proposed to conduct workshops for CFRMC members on technicalities of drafting an effective forest resource management plans. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how convergence can transform forest governance. Share your ideas in the comments below! 👇 For collaboration please contact us at - [email protected] #ForestRights #CommunityStewardship #Convergence #Sustainability #Livelihoods #FRA2006 #Forestcommons

As we commemorate the International Day of Forests under the theme "Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World," let's reflect on how Mo Jungle Jami Yojana (MJJY) is pioneering innovation in forest rights recognition and community empowerment. MJJY, with its focus on individual and community forest rights, biodiversity preservation, and climate change mitigation, represents a paradigm shift towards inclusive and sustainable forest management Despite the Forest Rights Act being in place for fifteen years, the saturation of rights recognition remains elusive, particularly concerning Community Rights (CR) and Community Forest Resources (CFR) rights. Recognizing this challenge MJJY was launched last year, aiming to accelerate the rights recognition process and address post-recognition issues systematically. MJJY seeks to ensure livelihood and food security for forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers by saturating the rights recognition process. Under this scheme, Forest Rights Cells will be established at the Tahsil and District levels to ensure effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act. Odisha, a leading state in FRA implementation, has distributed over 4.56 lakh individual forest right (IFR) titles. However, there's a gap between potential and actual achievements, especially in recognizing community rights and enhancing convergence with government schemes. MJJY aims to bridge this gap by distributing land titles to eligible claimants, forming Community Forest Resource Management & Protection Committees, and ensuring livelihood enhancement through convergence with various development programs. By recognizing the rights of all genuine claimants and linking title holders with government schemes, MJJY aims to create a concrete database of beneficiaries and facilitate the conversion of unsurveyed/forest villages into revenue villages. With approximately 32,562 FRA potential villages and 7.35 lakh potential ST families in Odisha, MJJY holds immense potential to transform forest governance and empower forest-dependent communities. Let's celebrate the spirit of innovation in forest conservation and community empowerment on this International Day of Forests! 🌿🌍 #ForestDay #MJJY #IndigenousRights #SustainableDevelopment #InnovationInForests #GenerationRestoration UNDP UNDP in India FAO roopa sahoo Roopa Roshan Sahoo

Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are the backbone of forest protection, but are they getting the support they deserve? Based on recent fieldwork in India’s Odisha and Meghalaya states, Steven Lawry explores how to empower communities as forest managers, not just laborers. Read: ➡️ https://bit.ly/3SauFvs #Trees4Resilience

#SecureTenure| CFRR Titles Distribution in Simdega, Jharkhand Marking a significant milestone in our efforts to secure community forest rights, the team of Initiative on the Forest Economy on the ground in Simdega, Jharkhand, successfully handed over six Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) titles. The recent success in Simdega highlights the ongoing efforts to support and facilitate the recognition of community forest rights, contributing to sustainable forest management and rural prosperity. Constructive feedback from the state FRA cell of the Abua Bir Abua Dishyom campaign was communicated to the District Collector of Simdega, who acknowledged the suggestions and committed to integrating them, ensuring adherence to the standard format outlined in the Forest Rights Act. IoFE focuses on promoting sustainable development in rural landscapes through forest-centric value chains. By integrating sustainability, scalability, and technology, we aims to create models for large-scale economic well-being, partnering with government agencies, civil society organizations, research institutions, and private companies. For more information on the campaign, please visit https://lnkd.in/g3e8JZQ2 Augustina Soreng Kamini Singh Sandip Chowdhury Ankur Raushan #forestmanagement #jharkhand #FRA

Reflecting on Progress: Forest Rights Act in India 📢✨🌱🌿 This 11-year-old photo from the "Conference of Community-Based Organizations on the Forest Rights Act" brings back memories of my discussions about the historical background of FRA in India, the claims process, and the essential role of CBOs in regeneration and protection of community forests. 😇💫It's encouraging to see significant advancements in Chhattisgarh, with state government & development agencie's efforts and community organizations ensuring thousands of CFR entitlements for traditional forest dwellers (villages & communities). ✨️Now, conversations are shifting towards Community Forest Resource Management and Ecosystem Restoration, highlighting the progress being made in enabling the system and communities for a more sustainable future. Let's celebrate these achievements and continue the journey towards sustainability! 🌱💬 P.S.- Sometimes it feels like your contributions go unnoticed, but knowing that the impact is making a difference keeps you motivated to do good.😇🌏 #FRA #CFR #CBOs #CommunityForestry #Sustainability #EcosystemRestoration #Chhattisgarh #Environment #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment

House Sparrows, crucial indicators of the region's environmental health, have seen a concerning decline in recent years. Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) recognizes this alarming trend and has initiated efforts to raise awareness on the issue. Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) has started working with the community to nurture and create sustainable habitats for sparrows. At present, more than 300 villages have been covered from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The project strategy involves providing nest boxes, bird feeders, planting native vegetation, and educating people about the value of sparrows in the ecosystem, their role in pollination, and their importance in pest control. As part of Sparrow Conservation Week, various events have been organized at our project villages to gather community support and raise awareness from 15th March to 20th March 2024. These include awareness campaigns and rallies, creating nest boxes and community distributions, sparrow toy-making, poster-making, drawing competitions and the Sparrow Day program including an Expert Session involving schools, youth, and self-help groups (SHGs). SST aims to expand its efforts across more villages with continued community participation, demonstrating its commitment to preserving biodiversity through grassroots action.   #SparrowConservation #CommunityEfforts #ConservationSuccess #SrinivasanServicesTrust 

Why Gram-Sabha (village councils) matter? 🌳 Village Councils: The Heart of Forest Governance🌳 In the vast and diverse landscapes of India, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for tribal communities. At the core of this transformative legislation lies the Gram Sabha (village council), a democratic institution that plays a pivotal role in governing forest lands and ensuring sustainable development. Why do village councils matter? 1. Local Decision-Making: The Gram Sabha, composed of village members, ensures that decisions about forest resources are made by those who are most intimately connected to the land. This local governance structure promotes transparency, accountability, and community involvement. 2. Empowerment of Tribal Communities: By recognizing the authority of Gram Sabha, the FRA has empowered tribal hamlets to reclaim their ancestral lands and govern them according to traditional knowledge and practices. This empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the environment. 3. Sustainable Management: Village councils are instrumental in creating and implementing sustainable forest management plans. Their decisions often prioritize conservation and sustainable use, balancing ecological health with community livelihoods. 4. Conflict Resolution: As a local governing body, the Gram Sabha plays a crucial role in resolving conflicts over land and resources, ensuring that disputes are settled amicably and fairly. Realizing True Potential The impact of village councils under the FRA is profound. Across the country, empowered tribal communities are: - Reviving Traditional Practices: Utilizing indigenous knowledge for sustainable forestry. - Enhancing Livelihoods: Developing forest-based enterprises that benefit the entire community. - Preserving Biodiversity: Protecting and nurturing diverse ecosystems that are vital for our planet's health. The importance given to Gram Sabhas in the FRA is not just a legislative mandate; it's a testament to the power of grassroots democracy and community-led development. By putting decision-making power back into the hands of those who live closest to the land, we are not only protecting our forests but also fostering a more just and equitable society. 🌱✨ We learned many such things not just through academic readings but from exposure visit we just did to an Ideal village - Vasala-Makta from Chandrapur. Glimpse from visit. #ForestRightsAct #GramSabha #TribalEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityGovernance #ForestConservation #GrassrootsDemocracy