Forest Rights Act & Environmental Protection Awareness Campaign

Background

The organization has been working continuously for the past 15 years towards the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) at the grassroots level. The primary objective of this campaign is to raise awareness among Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers about their legal forest rights, identify eligible families, and provide end-to-end support in the process of claiming forest land and residential rights.

At present, the organization is working intensively in 50 villages across Betul and Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh. The intervention is not limited to securing land titles alone; it also promotes environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and community-based forest management.

Objectives

• To disseminate information on the provisions of the Forest Rights Act among Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.
• To identify eligible families and support them in obtaining individual and community forest rights.
• To ensure equal land and property rights for women.
• To establish a balance between forest conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
• To link eligible families with government welfare schemes for socio-economic security.

Key Activities

• Village-level awareness meetings, camps, and training programs.
• Capacity building and orientation of Forest Rights Committee (FRC) members.
• Preparation, documentation, and submission of individual and community claims.
• Legal awareness initiatives with a special focus on women’s rights.
• Coordination with government departments for residential land titles and linkage with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Key Achievements to Date

1. Work under the Forest Rights Act (FRA)

2. State Homestead Land Scheme & Housing Rights

3. Awareness and Capacity Building

4. Ensuring Equal Land Rights for Women

Impact (Rights-Based & SDG-Aligned)

Through sustained, rights-based interventions, thousands of tribal and forest-dwelling families have secured legal recognition of land tenure, housing rights, and livelihood security. This work directly advances the realization of fundamental human rights—particularly the right to land, housing, livelihood, equality, and participation in governance.

The campaign has strengthened community agency, enhanced women’s ownership and decision-making power, and reinforced the principle that forest conservation and human rights are mutually reinforcing. Secure land rights have enabled families to invest in sustainable livelihoods, protect forest resources, and plan for long-term social and economic stability, contributing to inclusive and resilient rural development.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 1 – No Poverty: Strengthens livelihood security and reduces multidimensional poverty.
• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Enhances food security through secure access to land and sustainable practices.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Advances women’s economic empowerment and legal equality.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Ensures equitable access to legal rights and government schemes.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Communities: Promotes safe, inclusive, and resilient human settlements.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: Enhances climate resilience through sustainable forest management.
• SDG 15 – Life on Land: Supports biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions: Strengthens accountable and inclusive governance.

Rights-Based Development Approach

The campaign is grounded in a rights-based approach, emphasizing participation, transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, and gender justice. Communities are treated not as beneficiaries, but as rights-holders, while duty-bearers are engaged to ensure lawful and just implementation of the Forest Rights Act. This approach has resulted in sustainable outcomes, community ownership, and long-term social transformation.

Conclusion

The Forest Rights Act and Environmental Protection Awareness Campaign has generated tangible, long-lasting change over the past 15 years. The organization’s work stands as a strong example of rights-based development, gender justice, and environmental equity, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Going forward, the organization aims to expand its outreach to more marginalized families, strengthen community stewardship of forests, and contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient development.