Tribal participation helps in forest cover: Minister tells RS
31 Jul 2025 16:40:39
New Delhi: Participation of local communities on a massive scale in forest management has given a positive result in forest and tree cover over the last decade, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Thursday in the Upper House in the ongoing ‘Monsoon Session,’ referring to the India State of Forest Report 2023.
Singh further added that the National Forest Policy of 1988 highlights the role of tribal communities in protecting and developing forests. The policy also aims to offer employment to people living near forests while protecting their rights.
He was responding to questions raised by YSR Congress MP Golla Baburao about forest rights for tribal people and forest degradation.
Earlier, the tribal affairs ministry had asked the environment ministry to give scientific proof that tribal rights are the reason behind forest damage. This has added to the ongoing debate over the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which grants forest land rights to tribal people.
The environment ministry has made it clear that the government is ready to provide all kinds of support to tribal people, and their role will be utilised in forest management because they have traditional knowledge of forests.