Forest Rights Act has no gram sabha consent clause: Tribal Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has stated that the Forest Rights Act, 2006, does not contain any provision mandating gram sabha consent for projects proposed in forest areas, according to statements made during inter-ministerial discussions.

During talks with the Union Ministry of Power, the Tribal Affairs Ministry indicated that matters relating to the requirement of "100% gram sabha consent" for such projects fall outside its administrative jurisdiction. The clarification suggests that any provisions requiring village-level approval operate under different legislative frameworks rather than the Forest Rights Act.

The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about procedural requirements for development initiatives in forest regions, where indigenous and tribal communities hold traditional rights. The Forest Rights Act, which recognizes forest dwellers' land and resource rights, remains a key legislative instrument governing forest-related matters.

The ministry's position indicates that if gram sabha consent is required for specific projects, such requirements would stem from other regulatory mechanisms rather than the Forest Rights Act itself. This clarification may have implications for how development projects in forested areas navigate approval processes involving tribal and forest communities.