The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 was enacted by the Indian government in order to recognize and vest forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations. The Act also provides for the creation of a new category of land, called community forest land, to be managed by gram sabhas or village councils. The act aims to protect the rights of forest-dwelling communities and prevent their displacement from forests.