Ease of rejection
Down To Earth|March 01, 2023
Launched to facilitate a review of rejected forest rights claims, Madhya Pradesh' web portal has led to speedy dismissal of applications
SHUCHITA JHA
Ease of rejection

ANARSINGH TULSIYA, a 75-year-old member of Bhilala tribe in Madhya Pradesh's Sunod village, has applied for right to forestland under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, three times so far. The first two applications in 2010 and 2013 were rejected without Tulsiya being given a reason-a violation of FRA. The result of his third application, filed online through the MPVan Mitra portal in 2020, has been the same.

FRA gives members of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers, who have been living and tilling the land in the area since before December 13, 2005, the right to file Individual Forest Rights (IFR) over the land. While hearing a case on the constitutionality of FRA, the Supreme Court, on February 13, 2019, directed the states to evict those claimants whose IFR had been rejected. This meant eviction of 1,191,324, or 1.19 million people, across 16 states.

After a widespread outcry, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) filed an application before the Supreme Court for modification of the order, stating that there were instances where the states concerned had not strictly followed the rejection procedure. On February 28, 2019, the Supreme Court put the eviction order on hold. MOTA then discussed the order with the states concerned, which decided to review the rejected claims.

Madhya Pradesh, which has the country's highest tribal population, launched MPVanMitra web portal in September 2019 to allow claimants whose IFR had been rejected, reapply for the same, and to ease the process of submission for new claimants as well. On the website, applicants can file claims by creating their own user login identification and passwords. Officials, too, have their own login identifications and passwords, and process the claims online after reviewing the documents uploaded by claimants. The portal, however, seems to have allowed officials to unilaterally reject claims.

Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin March 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin March 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DOWN TO EARTH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
In leading role again
Down To Earth

In leading role again

MOVIES AND WEB SERIES ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING SET IN RUSTIC BACKGROUNDS, INDICATING A RECONNECT BETWEEN CINEMA AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

time-read
5 dak  |
December 16, 2024
One Nation One Subscription comes at a huge cost
Down To Earth

One Nation One Subscription comes at a huge cost

As top US universities scrap big deals with top scientific publishers, India’s ONOS scheme seems flawed and outdated

time-read
4 dak  |
December 16, 2024
Return of Rambhog
Down To Earth

Return of Rambhog

Bid to revive and sell the aromatic indigenous paddy variety has led to substantial profits for farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Terai region

time-read
4 dak  |
December 16, 2024
Scarred by mining
Down To Earth

Scarred by mining

Natural springs of Kashmir drying up due to illegal riverbed mining

time-read
5 dak  |
December 16, 2024
Human-to-human spread a mutation away
Down To Earth

Human-to-human spread a mutation away

CANADA IN mid-November confirmed its first human case of avian influenza, with a teenager in the British Columbia being hospitalised after contracting the H5N1 virus that causes the disease. The patient developed a severe form of the disease, also called bird flu, and had respiratory issues. There was no known cause of transmission.

time-read
1 min  |
December 16, 2024
True rehabilitation
Down To Earth

True rehabilitation

Residents of Madhya Pradesh's Kakdi village take relocation as an opportunity to undertake afforestation, develop sustainable practices

time-read
2 dak  |
December 16, 2024
INESCAPABLE THREAT
Down To Earth

INESCAPABLE THREAT

Chemical pollution is the most underrated and underreported risk of the 21st century that threatens all species and regions

time-read
10+ dak  |
December 16, 2024
THAT NIGHT, 40 YEARS AGO
Down To Earth

THAT NIGHT, 40 YEARS AGO

Bhopal gas disaster is a tragedy that people continue to face

time-read
8 dak  |
December 16, 2024
A JOKE, INDEED
Down To Earth

A JOKE, INDEED

A CONFERENCE OF IRRESPONSIBLE PARTIES THAT CREATED AN OPTICAL ILLUSION TO THE REALITY OF A NEW CLIMATE

time-read
10+ dak  |
December 01, 2024
THINGS FALL APART
Down To Earth

THINGS FALL APART

THE WORLD HAS MADE PROGRESS IN MITIGATING EMISSIONS AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE IMPACTS. BUT THE PROGRESS REMAINS GROSSLY INADEQUATE

time-read
4 dak  |
December 01, 2024