Chhattisgarh wants Centre’s help as Forest Dept. halts CFR management plans.

• Chhattisgarh Forest Department has halted its own government’s efforts to empanel NGOs for community forest resource (CFR) management plans.

• The State authorities have written to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry, seeking advice on the way forward.

• CFR management plans are meant to be created by forest dwelling communities, whose rights have been recognized under the Forest Rights Act.

• The conflict between Chhattisgarh departments is part of a long-running battle over who controls forest resources – local tribal communities or the Forest Department.

• The confusion arose from a communication by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests prohibiting any department, non-governmental organization, or private organization from working in areas where community forest resource management rights have been granted.

• The State Forest Department cited a joint communication from the Union Ministries of Environment and Tribal Affairs in March 2024, which stated that all CFR management plans should be implemented as per its 2023 guidelines.

• The Tribal Affairs Ministry’s 2023 guidelines on CFR Management under the Forest Rights Act of 2006 state that the authority to prepare and approve plans for resource management and conservation rests entirely with the Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMC).