The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006, aimed at recognition and protection of rights of scheduled tribes and traditional forest dwellers, will, in all likelihood be misused, negating the very objectives of the Act itself. It could result in fresh occupation of lands by forest dwellers for cultivation, taking shelter under the provisions of the Act and also open the floodgates for occupation of forest lands by political parties championing the cause of scheduled tribes, and triggering the circulation of fake ST certificates. There is a growing feeling among forest officials at the districts and above that the Act could lead to depletion of not just forest area but even reserve forests. Under the Forest Conservation Act, reserve forests had protection and even the government agencies could not violate the Act in the name of development. However, the latest Act neutralised the conservation Act and thrown open the entire reserve forests to the mercy of people. The Act vests responsibility upon beneficiaries of forest rights for the protection of wildlife as in the present scenario. However, will forest dwellers ensure the protection of wild life and community resources is the unanswered question. Another factor that had been indirectly contributing to the degradation of forests is the inadequate protection force employed by the state government. As per the recommendations of the Na-tional Commission on Agriculture in 1976, it was recommended that one forest guard should protect 800 to 1000 hectare of forest area. The recommendations had been implemented by all states, including Chhattisgarh, which reduced the area under each forest guard from 3,000 hectare to 800 hectare. However, the state government has not cared to address the issue, the Andhra Pradesh being the only state where a forest guard is given the responsibility to protect and guard 3,000 hectare of forest area and even given additional guard duties of neighbouring unmanned areas.