NGO opposes Bill on forest dwellers

  • 21/04/2008

  • Assam Tribune (Guwahati)

Requesting Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to rescind or replace the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, Early Birds, an NGO from the State, submitted a memorandum to the PMO. The environmental NGO has requested the PM to bring forward-thinking legislations in place of the above Act, which can provide forest usufruct rights, as well as, alternative livelihoods to the forest-dependant poor, without making the mistake of land grants. Expressing their deep concern, the organization has requested that the recently operationalised STOTFD (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, will have enormous negative impact on India's environment, including its water security and bio-diversity. "We also believe that the Act will worsen the lives of forest dwellers