Centre directs states to stop forced eviction of forest dwellers until rights are settled
New Delhi: The Union government has urged all states and union territories to ensure that no tribal or forest-dwelling group be forcibly removed from wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, until their rights are recognised and settled under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.
The New Indian Express mentioned in a report, a letter dated October 22, Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), directed Chief Secretaries to strictly follow the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The letter also stated that the ministry was concerned about the Act's delayed implementation, more than two decades after its enactment.
The letter also identified 12 priority areas for accelerating the registration of forest rights. These topics include Individual Forest Rights (IFRs), Habitat Rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Community Forest Rights (CFRs), and Community Forest Resource Rights. The Centre used Section 4(2) of the FRA to remind states that "no member of the Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers shall be evicted or removed from forest land under his tenancy until the recognition and verification procedure is completed."
The letter urged authorities to prevent all forms of forced displacement until rights are settled and resettlement plans are completed. It also called for adjustments to forest land records to ensure that the rightful beneficiaries can utilize government schemes, warning that inconsistencies could lead to disputes between the forest and tax departments. However, it clarified that such corrections are administrative and must not be used to reject pending or new claims.
The ministry further emphasised that claims under the FRA should be evaluated primarily through field verification rather than technological data. “Inputs such as satellite imagery or GIS mapping should only serve as supplementary tools,” the letter stated, noting that Section 12 of the Act requires decisions to be based on ground evidence.
Highlighting successful models from Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, the ministry urged states to adopt similar practices such as creating FRA Atlases and district-level action plans to identify potential CFR areas.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
