10 villages get community forest resource rights in Chhattisgarh

The recognition of rights in tiger reserves was a long-time demand of villagers residing in the core zone

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has distributed titles for community forest resource rights to 10 villages in core and buffer areas of two tiger reserves under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Community forest reso­ur­ces include traditional grazing grounds; areas for collection of roots, tubers, fodder, wild edible fruits and minor forest produce, sources of water for human or livestock use; medicinal plant collection territories of herbal practitioners.

On the occasion of World Indigenous People’s Day (August 9), Baghel gave the titles to five gram sabhas each of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger