Over two lakh cases pending under forest rights Act in Maharashtra

The implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers (recognition of forest rights) Act, 2006, has been delayed in Maharastra, as the state has cleared only 4,500 cases in a year.
       
"The state has received 2.77 lakh claims under the Act and 4,500 have received final approval since February 2008," principal secretary for tribal department PS Meena told PTI.
       
The government has titled 3,500 hectare land so far while three lakh hectare land is yet to be titled to the tribals. The pending cases would be completed in next four-five months, Meena said.
       
About two lakh cases are with village panchayats, 51,000 pleas have reached the second stage at sub-divisional level and 10,000 are at the final district collector-level stage, Meena said.
       
Asked about delay in the process, Meena said it starts with village panchayats, then goes to sub division office and final approval is given by the collector. It also involves a lot of paper work and time for administration verification, he added.
       
The Act was passed in 2006, it was implemented from December 31, 2007 and the rules were framed in 2008. Maximum four acre land is transferable to each tribal family under the Act and it also recognises individual forest rights of the tribals.
       
"The Central government has identified 13 activities like cattle-rearing, bamboo plantation over the land for livelihood of the tribals," Meena said.