Context
Odisha government has been shutting down Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells and removing support staff over the past six months. Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sought explanation and directed clearance of pending FRA claims by March-end.
Key Points
• Closure of 50 Sub-Divisional FRA Cells.
• Odisha has ~20% pendency in individual forest rights claims (second highest after Chhattisgarh).
• ~1.22 lakh pending claims (as of August 2025).
• Related to new Central scheme DA-JGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan), launched 2024.
Forest Rights Act, 2006
Recognises historical rights of:
• Scheduled Tribes (STs)
• Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs)
FRA Cells – Role
• Process claims filed by STs & OTFDs.
• Assist verification of land/community rights.
• Maintain records of approved & pending claims.
• Coordinate between Gram Sabhas and State authorities.
