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    Forest Conservation

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    Forest Conservation

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    FOREST CONSERVATION

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    Forest Conservation

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    Home > Daily-current-affairs

    Daily-current-affairs / 26 Jun 2024

    Empowering Indigenous Communities for Sustainable


    Forest Conservation: The Impact of PESA in India : Daily
    News Analysis

    Context
    Forest conservation in India has historically been challenged by competing interests
    between conservation efforts and economic development, particularly concerning local
    communities' rights and livelihoods. The implementation of policies like the Panchayat
    (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) has aimed to address these challenges by
    empowering Scheduled Tribes (STs) as political actors in forest governance. This paper
    examines how PESA has influenced forest conservation outcomes by providing mandated
    political representation to marginalized communities living in or near forests. By analyzing
    empirical data and employing a difference-in-differences framework, the study assesses the
    impact of PESA on forest cover and deforestation rates across different regions and over
    time.

    Empowerment through Political Representation


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    PESA, enacted in 1996, extended local governance structures to Scheduled Areas, ensuring
    ST representation in decision-making bodies like gram sabhas and local councils. Unlike
    previous decentralization efforts under the 73rd Amendment, PESA mandated specific
    quotas for ST individuals in leadership positions within local governments. This shift was
    pivotal as it empowered STs not only to participate in governance but also to influence
    policies that directly impact their traditional lands and resources.
    The effectiveness of PESA lies in its ability to align conservation goals with economic
    interests of ST communities. Traditionally dependent on forests for livelihoods through
    activities like gathering non-timber forest produce, STs have a vested interest in sustainable
    forest management. The introduction of PESA facilitated a form of 'forest stewardship'
    among STs, wherein they actively engaged in protecting tree cover and resisting
    deforestation, primarily driven by commercial timber extraction and mining activities. This
    empowerment has not only enhanced local governance but also bolstered conservation
    efforts by integrating community-driven approaches into forest management strategies.

    Impact on Forest Conservation


    Quantitative analysis using remote-sensing data from satellites such as LANDSAT and
    Sentinel has shown significant correlations between the introduction of PESA and positive
    forest conservation outcomes. Villages under PESA governance exhibited higher rates of
    afforestation and lower rates of deforestation compared to those without mandated ST
    representation. This empirical evidence underscores the causal relationship between
    political empowerment of STs and improved forest health metrics over time.
    Moreover, the study highlights the role of ST communities in opposing large-scale industrial
    activities detrimental to forest ecosystems. Areas under PESA jurisdiction experienced
    reduced deforestation rates near mining sites, indicating the effectiveness of empowered
    local governance in mitigating environmental degradation. By advocating for their rights to
    sustainable resource use, STs have effectively contributed to broader conservation goals
    while safeguarding their economic interests and cultural practices tied to forest
    ecosystems.

    Comparative Analysis with Other Policies


    Comparative analysis between PESA and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest
    Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) reveals distinct impacts on forest
    conservation. While both legislations aimed to secure ST rights to forest resources, PESA's
    emphasis on political representation yielded more pronounced conservation benefits
    compared to FRA. The study attributes this disparity to PESA's focus on democratic
    decentralization, where local councils with ST representation gained autonomy and
    decision-making authority over forest management practices.
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    Administrative decentralization alone, as exemplified by FRA, lacked the institutional
    mechanisms necessary to empower local communities in a meaningful way. Without
    mandated political representation, FRA did not achieve significant improvements in forest
    conservation beyond what local communities could achieve through traditional resource
    management practices. This comparison underscores the importance of democratic
    empowerment in achieving sustainable development outcomes aligned with conservation
    objectives.

    Challenges and Recommendations


    Despite its successes, the implementation of PESA has faced challenges in various states,
    such as inadequate representation of STs in gram sabhas and local councils. In states like
    Gujarat, where PESA implementation has been deficient, there is evidence of continued
    marginalization of ST communities and insufficient protection of their forest rights.
    Addressing these challenges requires not only effective enforcement of existing laws but
    also broader policy reforms aimed at enhancing ST participation and representation in
    decision-making processes.
    Moving forward, policymakers must prioritize inclusive governance models that empower
    marginalized communities while balancing economic development and conservation
    imperatives. This entails strengthening institutional capacities at the local level, ensuring
    equitable distribution of resources, and fostering partnerships between government
    agencies, civil society organizations, and indigenous communities. By promoting
    transparency and accountability in forest governance, India can build upon the successes of
    PESA and similar initiatives to achieve sustainable development goals in forested regions.

    Conclusion
    In conclusion, the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act has emerged as a
    transformative policy tool for promoting forest conservation through empowered political
    representation of Scheduled Tribes in India. By granting ST communities a voice in local
    governance and decision-making, PESA has facilitated 'forest stewardship' practices that
    align conservation efforts with economic interests. Empirical evidence confirms that ST-
    mandated representation under PESA has led to increased tree canopy and reduced
    deforestation rates, particularly in regions vulnerable to commercial exploitation of forest
    resources.
    The comparative analysis with other legislative frameworks underscores the unique
    contributions of democratic decentralization in achieving sustainable development
    outcomes. While challenges remain in ensuring uniform implementation across states, the
    principles of inclusive governance embedded in PESA offer valuable insights for future
    policy formulation and implementation. By leveraging local knowledge and community
    participation,
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    development goals, thereby safeguarding the rights and welfare of forest-dwelling ST
    communities for generations to come.

    Probable Questions for UPSC Mains Exam


    1. Discuss the role of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) in
    empowering Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India's forest governance. How has mandated
    political representation under PESA contributed to both conservation efforts and the
    economic interests of ST communities? Illustrate with empirical evidence and
    examples.(10 marks, 150 words)
    2. Compare and contrast the impacts of PESA and the Scheduled Tribes and Other
    Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) on forest
    conservation in India. What are the key factors that have led to PESA being more
    effective in achieving sustainable forest management goals? Discuss with relevant case
    studies and policy insights.(15 marks, 250 words)

    Source - The Hindu

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