Special Correspondent

Rajya Sabha member and Communist Party of India leader D. Raja sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

The fear of abuse of the forest rights legislation was evident at a rally held today in the state capital.

The participants complained that the state government was not only slow in the implementation of the act, but it was also avoiding the participation of the villagers in the process, as prescribed by the legislation.

SHILLONG, Sept 11

SHILLONG: The government will soon notify rules for incorporation in the existing Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act 1973 to ban felling of trees for charcoal manufacturing, especially in West Khasi Hills, which is one of the major causes of depletion of the State forest cover.

Adopts Resolution Day After SC Verdict Declaring Forests

DH News Service, Bangalore:

In a landmark judgement, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered a total ban on mining activities in forest areas.

Hearing a petition by MSPL Ltd, a Hospet-based mining firm, questioning the mining lease issued by the state government to a private company on March 15, 2003, Justice Shylendra Kumar quashed the lease. The Court observed that the State had neglected the Forest Conservation Act 1983 and Karnataka Forest Act 1963 while issuing the notification, and suggested nationalisation of mining activities.

Publicity given for the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 to educate the STs on their rights on forest land became a nuisance for the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). ITDA organised street plays with the help of Jana Vignana Vedika cultural troops to highlight the Act in the areas close to forest. Many people including vested interests are making a beeline to the ITDA office everyday to stake a claim on forest land though they are no way concerned and not eligible under the Act.

Jeevan Chinnappa This provides for constitution of forest rights committee, State-level committee Gram panchayats to convene gram sabhas to set up the committees In January, Manmohan told States to expedite it

The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006, aimed at recognition and protection of rights of scheduled tribes and traditional forest dwellers, will, in all likelihood be misused, negating the very objectives of the Act itself. It could result in fresh occupation of lands by forest dwellers for cultivation, taking shelter under the provisions of the Act and also open the floodgates for occupation of forest lands by political parties championing the cause of scheduled tribes, and triggering the circulation of fake ST certificates.