Consider the following statements:
- The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
- For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
- Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
This question tests knowledge of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, particularly regarding Critical Wildlife Habitats and Habitat Rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Statement 3 is incorrect because State governments, not the Union Ministry, have the authority to declare Habitat Rights.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Forest Rights Act, 2006 explicitly defines "Critical Wildlife Habitat" as areas within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that require inviolate conservation for wildlife protection, and can only be declared based on scientific evidence after due process of resettlement.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: In 2015, the Baiga tribal community in Madhya Pradesh became the first in India to be granted Habitat Rights under the FRA, 2006, allowing them to continue living in the Kanha Tiger Reserve buffer zone with access to forest resources.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, it is the State governments (not the Union Ministry) that have the authority to declare and vest Habitat Rights for Primitive Tribal Groups after obtaining consent from the concerned communities and establishing resettlement measures.
📝 Short Notes: Forest Rights Act, 2006 — Key Provisions
- Official Title: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
- Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH): Defined under Section 2(b) as areas within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that require inviolate conservation for wildlife protection; can be notified only after scientific evidence and completion of resettlement process
- Habitat Rights: Under Section 3(1)(e), Primitive Tribal Groups (now called Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups - PVTGs) and pre-agricultural communities are entitled to habitat rights for habitation and livelihood
- Authority: State governments have the power to declare Habitat Rights after obtaining consent from Gram Sabhas and affected communities
- First Grant: Baiga tribe in Madhya Pradesh (2015) was the first PVTG to receive Habitat Rights in Kanha Tiger Reserve buffer zone
- PVTGs in India: 75 tribal groups across 18 states are classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups based on criteria like pre-agricultural level of technology, low literacy, and declining population
Question 3 of 3 Forest Resources
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