Forest rules tweak to hit tribals, says Congress; govt refutes charge

NEW DELHI: Recently notified Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 on Sunday triggered an intense Twitter clash between Congress and the government with the latter rebutting the opposition party’s allegation that the amended rules would disempower crores of tribals and others living in forest areas. The government said the new rules are, in fact, “reformative with an objective to streamline the process of approvals under the act, and enable the parallel processing under other acts and rules”.
“The allegation is an ill-informed attempt to show that the rules don’t care about the provisions of other laws. The government under PM Narendra Modi remains committed to protecting the rights of the adivasis.” tweeted environment minister Bhupender Yadav in response to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s charges against the government on the amended rules.
On the key point and the bone of contention where the Congress leader alleged the government of diluting the rights of ‘Gram Sabha’ in giving consent to projects before green clearance, Yadav said, “You are trying to insinuate a problem where none exists. There is no dilution of provisions of FRA as being incorrectly interpreted since fulfilment and compliance of FRA 2006 is specifically mentioned in the rules before state issues orders of diversion.
“It is very much there and well taken care of under the provisions of the respective acts. The fulfilment and compliance of FRA 2006 is an independent process, which can be done at any stage by the states, but must be completed before granting approval for land diversion. I am afraid one can’t see a point if one decides not to...Will rest my case on that.”
It all began when Ramesh, a former environment minister, posted an one-page note on Twitter, pointing out how state governments will be under even greater pressure from the Centre to accelerate the process of diversion of forest land at the cost of land and livelihood rights of tribals and other families living in these areas of the country.
He also underlined that the new rules have been promulgated without any consultation and discussion with stakeholders.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Modi-Mitr’ Sarkar at its crony best! For ‘ease of snatching’ forest land, BJP govt has come up with new FC Rules, 2022 diluting UPA’s Forest Rights Act, 2006. Congress stands strongly with our adivasi brothers & sisters in their fight to protect Jal, Jungle and Zameen.”
Tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda said, “the allegation that the present government is trying to snatch the rights from the tribals holds no ground and is just a futile attempt to divert attention from the fact that NDA’s presidential candidate is a tribal lady.”