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Long overdue

Recognition of unrecorded forest rights of scheduled tribes dwelling in forests for generations, including access, use and disposal of forest produce.

The bill recognises rights of communities that have occupied land before October 25, 1980 (when the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was passed).

The right shall be heritable, but not alienable or transferable (to ensure that the land is not appropriated by others).

The title shall be registered jointly in the names of husband and wife.

The right is for "bonafide' livelihood needs but not for "exclusively commercial purposes'.

The gram sabha (village council) shall settle claims. Appeals can be made to higher bodies against its decisions.

The communities' duty to protect biodiversity is balanced by their right to manage their traditional forests.

Unsustainable use of forest or forest

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