Customary Rights of Forest-Dwellers

Customary Rights of Forest-Dwellers

Historical Context:**

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  • Traditional Rights: Forest-dwellers in India traditionally held customary rights to forest resources, including gathering firewood, grazing livestock, and practicing shifting cultivation. These rights were integral to their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Colonial Impact:

  • Forest Laws: Colonial forest policies, such as the Indian Forest Act of 1865 and 1927, significantly impacted the customary rights of forest-dwellers. These laws restricted access to forests and regulated the use of forest resources, often sidelining the rights and practices of local communities.
  • Displacement and Conflict: The imposition of forest laws led to the displacement of forest-dwellers, conflicts over land and resource use, and disruptions to traditional livelihoods. Forest-dwellers faced challenges in asserting their rights under the new legal and administrative frameworks.

Post-Colonial Developments:

  • Recognition of Rights: Post-independence, efforts have been made to recognize and address the rights of forest-dwellers. The Forest Rights Act of 2006 was a significant step towards acknowledging and formalizing the customary rights of forest-dwellers, aiming to provide legal recognition and protect their traditional rights.
  • Implementation Challenges: Despite legislative progress, the implementation of forest rights has faced challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, conflicts with conservation efforts, and difficulties in addressing historical grievances.
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