The Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre on Sunday, July 16, said that the rights of tribals, spelt out under the Forest Rights Act, will be protected.
At a meeting of forest officials and other stakeholders in H.D. Kote, the Minister, who received petitions from the tribals, said he will seek a joint survey to determine forest and revenue lands in a bid to legally resolve the impasse over demarcating their boundaries.
Mr. Khandre said there was confusion in Karnataka over the revenue and forest land boundaries and once it was resolved, the land rights under FRA can be settled with respect to the tribals who meet the criteria.
