THE bill recognising forest rights of tribals has come through after sev-eral months of uncertainty. Its finalised draft, cleared by the Union ministry of law, is with the Union cabinet for approval and tabling in the winter session of Parliament. There is a possibility the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill will get tabled in Parliament by the time you read this report. Some of the most con-tentious issues, it seems, have been settled in accordance with the demands of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity, a coalition of groups supporting land settlement of tribals tilling forestlands, as well as promises made in the National Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The bill will likely award tem-porary rights to tribals living inside protected areas (PA)