FOREST RIGHTS & LAND RESTORATION
The Challenge
For generations, tribal communities in Melghat lived as custodians of the forest. But colonial-era forest policies and post-independence conservation approaches criminalized their presence, denied their rights, and opened doors for land grabbing by more powerful communities.
The result: tribal families lost access to lands they had sustainably managed for centuries, pushing them into poverty and marginalizing their traditional knowledge.
Our Response
The Forest Rights Act (2006) was a watershed moment—finally recognizing the rights of forest-dwelling communities. But recognition on paper means nothing without implementation. That’s where our work comes in.
What We Do
Community Mobilization: We work with village communities to understand their rights under the Forest Rights Act and support them in claiming those rights.
Documentation Support: Helping communities gather evidence, prepare applications, and navigate the complex bureaucratic processes required to secure CFR (Community Forest Resource) rights.
CFR Management Plans: We facilitate the creation of comprehensive Community Forest Resource management plans—documents that outline how communities will sustainably manage their forests while protecting biodiversity.
Land Restoration Cases: Providing legal guidance and support to families whose lands were grabbed by affluent communities, helping them reclaim what’s rightfully theirs.
Dialogue Building: Creating spaces for constructive dialogue between communities, forest officials, and government departments to resolve conflicts and build understanding.
Our Impact
35+ villages have secured Community Forest Rights
Comprehensive CFR management plans created for each village, providing legal protection and sustainable management frameworks
150+ families have successfully reclaimed ancestral lands through legal support
Thousands of hectares of forest land now under community management, showing improved ecological health