Collector B. Murugesh has issued forest title rights to 1,021 tribals and other traditional forest dwellers in the Jawadhu Hills of Tiruvannamalai so far as part of the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, which is also referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Officials of the Department of Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare said that a total of 39,522.23 hectares of forest land will be covered under the initiative, as beneficiaries can do farming and also collect minor forest produce on these forest lands. “Some of the minor forest produce that can be collected on allotted forest land includes Indian gooseberry, ‘haritaki’ (Kadukai), ‘soapnut’ (Pundhikottai), tamarind, and honey,” Mr. Murugesh said.
Mr. Murugesh had organised 25 district-level committee meetings to discuss forest title rights for tribals and other forest dwellers. Subsequently, beneficiaries were identified for forest title rights.
