PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday claimed that the governments that disrespect the rights of tribals living in the forest, themselves are encroachers on forest lands and that enactment of Forest Rights Act (FAR) reinforces the right of the tribals living there.

“Tribals have not encroached on the forest land. We are the ones who have snatched away their forest rights by encroaching on the forest land,” the chief minister said while addressing an orientation programme on effective implementation of Forest Right Act (FRA), organized by Directorate of Tribal Welfare.