Chhattisgarh Forest Department Withdraws Advisory on CFRR Activities Following Protests from Forest Dwellers and Activists

Amid growing protests and opposition from tribal communities and rights activists, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department on Thursday announced the withdrawal of its earlier advisory that had prohibited other government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and private bodies from undertaking any activities related to Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) until a structured plan was issued by the central government.

The withdrawal was made following instructions from State Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, the department confirmed in an official press statement.

The initial advisory, which was directed at field-level forest officers, had stirred significant unrest among stakeholders working closely with tribal communities, who feared that the directive would stall grassroots-level forest governance and the implementation of the

Forest Rights Act (FRA).

Reason Behind the Advisory

In its statement, the forest department clarified that the advisory was not a ban, but a temporary internal guideline issued to ensure consistent and lawful implementation of CFRR-related work on the ground.

The department said it had observed inconsistencies in field-level practices, largely due to the absence of a standardised Community Forest Resource (CFR) management framework.

This led to confusion about how CFR management plans could be effectively integrated with the National Working Plan Code (NWPC), 2023, which guides scientific forest management across India.

The lack of clear policy direction had also triggered coordination challenges among key stakeholders — including Gram Sabhas (village councils), NGOs, and forest officials — all of whom play essential roles in the sustainable governance of community forests.

Appeal to Central Ministries for Guidance

Acknowledging the need for structured planning and training, the forest department has now written to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

In its communication, the department has requested the central ministries to urgently issue:

• Model CFR management plans

• Comprehensive operational guidelines

• Training modules for master trainers and local stakeholders

The department emphasized that, in the absence of such central guidance, implementation of CFR plans could become ad hoc, leading to ecological risks and potential conflicts between departments and local communities.

The withdrawn advisory had been aimed at avoiding such a scenario, where forest resources might be managed without aligning with scientific working plan prescriptions, thereby jeopardizing the ecological integrity of the forests.

Recognition of Chhattisgarh’s CFRR Achievements

V. Sreenivasa Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) in Chhattisgarh, praised the state’s progress under the Forest Rights Act.

He highlighted that Chhattisgarh has emerged as a national leader in recognising Community Forest Resource Rights, with impressive numbers achieved so far:

• 4,78,641 individual forest rights titles granted

• 4,349 Community Forest Resource Rights titles, covering over 20,06,224 hectares

“This is a reflection of the commendable work being carried out by the department, which has consistently focused on ensuring justice and empowerment for forest-dwelling communities,” Rao said.

Path Forward

The withdrawal of the advisory is expected to ease tensions on the ground and restore confidence among forest-dwelling communities, activists, and local governance institutions.

As the state awaits comprehensive policy guidelines from the Centre, the forest department has reiterated its commitment to protecting both ecological sustainability and tribal rights, while ensuring that all future actions are aligned with national forest management standards.