A large number of tribals from Gujarat may not get to own the forest land which they are entitled to under the Forest Rights Act due to non-cooperative attitude of the forest department officials, representatives of tribals said today.
Bhanubhai Tadvi, president of the Gujarat unit of Adivasis Sabha (state unit of tribals committees) told reporters that the procedure being followed to allot land is difficult and tribals may be deprived of their entitlement.
He estimated that about 1,40,000 out of a total of 1,60,000 tribals from Gujarat may not get forest land due to apathy of officials of the forest department.
Tadvi said the procedure for giving forest land to the tribals under Forest Rights Act 2006 passed by the parliament, was not being followed by officials. There are state and district level committees which are supposed to coordinate with the forest department. But he said these committees go by the direction of theforest department.
Over 1,60,00 tribals staying in different parts of Gujarat claimed forest land and submitted their proofs before the Forest Rights Committees (FRC).
This was after the Congress-led UPA government at the centre passed the Forest Rights Act entitling tribal to get 10 acres of land on proofto be given by him saying he has been cultivating this particular piece of land before 2005, a cut-off year.
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