Parliament Question: Eviction of Tribal Communities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1915 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 30/07/2026 EVICTION OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

1915. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of cases of eviction and harassment faced by the forest-dwelling Van Gujjar community despite having filed for recognition of their claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and if so, the steps taken or proposed to address such cases;

(b) whether the Government has issued directions to halt evictions undertaken without following the due process prescribed under Section 4(5) of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and if so, the details thereof and the measures taken to ensure compliance with such directions; and

(c) whether any specific training programmes have been conducted for State Forest Departments and Tribal Welfare Departments to ensure adherence to the due process under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 prior to issuance of eviction notices and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)

(a): The representations that were received in the Ministry from Van Gujjar communities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh concerning the issues related to rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, (in short FRA), 2006, were examined. Since the implementation of the FRA lies with the State Governments and UT Administrations, these representations were forwarded to the respective State Governments and concerned District Administrations for examination and taking necessary action in accordance with the provisions of the FRA and other applicable laws.

(b): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been exhorting all State Governments/UT Administration to abide by the provisions contained in FRA. Regular review meetings to assess the progress of FRA etc are held with State Governments/UT Administration. Further, grievances /representations received in the Ministry regarding violation of provisions of FRA are forwarded to the States/UTs concerned, to ensure that legitimate claimants are not denied their forest rights.

(c): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has advised States/UTs to undertake periodic training of Sub- Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) / District Level Committee (DLC) members and to ensure adherence to due process under the FRA. All training modules/ pamphlets are regularly shared with States/UTs. Capacity Building and training measures are being undertaken by State Governments/UT Administrations.

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