RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Chhattisgarh's Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) on Wednesday to bolster the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.

The agreement was formalized in a ceremony at the Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, with the presence of Minister for Tribal Affairs, Ramvichar Netam, Principal Secretary Sonmoni Borah, ATREE representative Dr. Sharat Chandra Lele, and Secretary-cum-Commissioner Narendra Kumar Dugga.

Minister Netam emphasized the importance of the MoU, calling it a milestone in the effective execution of the FRA, which he described as a key initiative of both the Central and State Governments.

“This agreement will address ground-level challenges, particularly in managing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), CFR management, and the digitization of forest rights documents,” said the minister.

He stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts for the proper implementation of the FRA.

Under the MoU, the department will offer ground-level expertise to identify and resolve issues related to CFRR cases. ATREE will provide district-level mapping and data for the FRA Atlas, which the department is developing. The agreement also includes technical support for the Geographical Information System (WebGIS) portal, focusing on the traditional boundaries under CFRR.

In addition, the partnership aims to improve policies and programs for community forest management and livelihoods based on forest produce. ATREE will also offer recommendations on institutional reforms to streamline the management of community forest resources, drawing on successful practices from other states.