Odisha govt.’s directions to shut forest rights cells prompt Central scrutiny

Odisha govt.’s directions to shut forest rights cells prompt Central scrutiny

Over the last six months, the Odisha government has been shutting down Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells that were set up under State and Central schemes to accelerate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The law is meant to recognise the historical rights of the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers to the forest lands they have used as habitat and for livelihoods for generations.