Over 56,000 forest land claims rejected in Gujarat after nearly 20 years of FRA implementation

Nearly two decades after the Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted in 2006, thousands of tribal families  particularly in Narmada district  are still waiting for recognition of their forest land claims. Despite the state government's assertion that tribals have been granted ownership rights, a significant number of applications continue to face rejection.

Data presented in Parliament revealed that between 2023 and 2026, as many as 56,966 forest land claims were rejected in Gujarat, while only 7,241 claimants were granted land rights during the same period.

The issue has triggered political controversy. During the Janakrosh rally, Gujarat Pradesh Congress President Amit Chavda accused the government of systematically depriving tribals of their rights. He alleged that land is being taken away using questionable documentation and administrative approvals.

Chavda further claimed that although regulations clearly state that tribal land cannot be sold to non-tribals without prior permission from the District Collector, loopholes in the system are being exploited. According to him, tribal lands are being left uncultivated and gradually transferred under the guise of development.

The Congress has alleged that a larger conspiracy is underway to strip tribals of their fundamental resources  water, forests, and land  in the name of development projects. The party claims that provisions of the Scheduled Castes safeguards and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) are being overlooked, while natural resources are being diverted for industrial interests.

Opposition leaders argue that instead of empowering tribal communities with autonomy to preserve their culture and livelihood, their forests and rivers are being taken away through administrative and political pressure.