Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Vanni Arasu (centre), receiving the petition in Thalavadi Hills in Erode district on Sunday.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has urged the State government to address issues relating to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, particularly those concerning the diversion of forest land for development works and the recognition of grazing rights of tribal communities.In a petition submitted to Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Vanni Arasu during his visit to Thalavadi Hills on Sunday (June 1), CPI Erode (north) district secretary S. Mohan Kumar sought the government’s intervention in removing administrative and legal hurdles affecting tribespeople living in forest areas.The memorandum pointed out that the Forest Rights Act was enacted to recognise and protect the traditional rights of Scheduled Tribes and other forest-dwelling communities. However, many tribal habitations continue to face difficulties in accessing basic infrastructure and development facilities due to procedural delays in obtaining approvals for projects within forest areas.According to the petition, Section 3(2) of the Forest Rights Act permits the diversion of limited forest land for essential community infrastructure such as roads, schools, drinking water facilities, health centres and other public welfare projects. However, forest authorities were allegedly insisting on additional clearances and procedures, resulting in delays in implementing such works. The CPI contended that these hurdles had adversely affected the development of tribal settlements and deprived residents of basic amenities.The petition also highlighted the issue of grazing rights, stating that the Act recognises the traditional grazing rights of Scheduled Tribes and other forest-dependent communities. Continued restrictions on grazing in certain forest areas, it said, had affected the livelihoods of tribal families who depend on livestock rearing and forest resources for their sustenance.Urging the government to ensure the effective implementation of the Act, the CPI called for measures to facilitate development projects in tribal areas and safeguard the rights guaranteed to forest-dwelling communities under the legislation.The petition was submitted by CPI Erode (north) district deputy secretary K. Sakthivel. Published - June 01, 2026 07:35 pm IST
