Tiruvannamalai District Collector B. Murugesh has issued forest title rights to 1,569 tribal people and other traditional forest dwellers in the Jawadhu Hills of Tiruvannamalai as part of the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Officials of the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare said that 49,400 hectares of forestland would be covered under the initiative as beneficiaries could do farming and collect minor forest produce on these forestlands. Some of the minor forest produce that could be collected on allotted forestland includes Indian gooseberry, haritaki (Kadukai), soapnut (pundhikottai), tamarind, and honey. “Those who are eligible but have not applied yet, can apply for the title rights,” Mr. Murugesh said.
