Hyderabad: In context of alleged widespread irregularities in distribution of forest land through the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, across Telangana, environmentalists point out serious violations in approval process as well. According to the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act guidelines, claims must be backed by substantial evidence such as satellite imagery, and Google data, and other verifiable records. However, in many cases, the gram sabha and district committee recommendations ignored detailed DFO reports that rejected claims based on evidence of post-2005 encroachments or age violations.
In some instances, minutes of the meeting were allegedly fabricated, and facsimile signatures were used on title deeds, bypassing legal requirements. In a July 2023 letter, the Nagarkurnool DFO raised concerns about these manipulations, stating several claims rejected by forest officials were approved by district committee despite clear evidence of ineligibility.
Environmentalists and former officials also said that distribution of forest land under FRA was politically motivated. J Ramesh, environmentalist with Nature Friends Environmental Development Society, accused the govt of pressurising top officials to issue title deeds to ineligible individuals. He claimed this resulted in large-scale deforestation and labelled the entire process a “scam of unprecedented proportions.”
Retired IFS officers said the misuse of FRA provisions has led to irreversible environmental damage. Senior officials believe that pressure from the state govt, especially from the revenue and tribal welfare departments, fuelled much of the violations. A 2021 directive from the then principal chief conservator of forests, R Sobha, urged officials to accept applications despite the clear-cut guidelines.
In some instances, minutes of the meeting were allegedly fabricated, and facsimile signatures were used on title deeds, bypassing legal requirements. In a July 2023 letter, the Nagarkurnool DFO raised concerns about these manipulations, stating several claims rejected by forest officials were approved by district committee despite clear evidence of ineligibility.
Environmentalists and former officials also said that distribution of forest land under FRA was politically motivated. J Ramesh, environmentalist with Nature Friends Environmental Development Society, accused the govt of pressurising top officials to issue title deeds to ineligible individuals. He claimed this resulted in large-scale deforestation and labelled the entire process a “scam of unprecedented proportions.”
Retired IFS officers said the misuse of FRA provisions has led to irreversible environmental damage. Senior officials believe that pressure from the state govt, especially from the revenue and tribal welfare departments, fuelled much of the violations. A 2021 directive from the then principal chief conservator of forests, R Sobha, urged officials to accept applications despite the clear-cut guidelines.
