CSE, experts demand more rights for communities over forests in India - Nepal and Mexico show the way
India’s forest laws are colonial that have alienated communities from their land and resources. Under the current Forest Rights Act of 2006, the government allows gram sabhas to manage and protect forests. However, community rights have been recognised only over 2.5 million hectare (ha) of forests while Forest Survey of India report has identified 31 million ha of forests within revenue villages