Activists Question Govt's Silence as 10 Lakh Tribal Families Set to be Evacuated From Forests
A case was filed by wildlife NGOs which challenged the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, known as FRA, calling it unconstitutional.
New Delhi, February 22: Concerns have been raised on the Supreme Court's recent order to evict over 10 lakh families, including tribals and those families living in the jungles for years from as many as 16 states. Amit Shah Woos Tribals in Puri, Says NDA Government Increased Allocation of Funds for Their Welfare.
The Opposition parties have criticised the Central government as the lawyer appointed by the Centre did not defend the Forest Rights Act, reported News18. Watch: Rahul Gandhi Dances With Tribals in Odisha, Video Goes Viral.
A case was filed by wildlife NGOs which challenged the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, known as FRA.
The NGOs filed the case on the grounds that the law is unconstitutional and that it results in the destruction of forest and loss of flora and fauna.
Following the apex court's order to evict the forest dwellers and the tribals, close to 11 lakh families will have to move out of the forests by July 27, 2019. The NGOs which filed the case said that the FRA has been misused by many people who have been illegally living in the forests. However, the forest rights activists have rejected the claims that the FRA act has been misused and questioned government's motive after its lawyers were absent to defend the act in the court.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2019 12:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).