As India nears the 20-year mark since the Forest Rights Act (FRA) was implemented, it’s crucial to evaluate its impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) launched in 2023 aims to improve infrastructure and services. However, we need to focus on creating just futures for both forests and those who live in them.
The FRA, enacted in 2006, was designed to right historical wrongs faced by tribal and forest-dwelling communities in India. It grants rights to land, resources, and protections against displacement. This is especially vital for PVTGs, who struggle with shrinking populations and various social challenges.
Data shows that in tribal districts, forest cover is declining. Despite efforts to improve land usage, traditional community governance often takes a backseat to state control. This has raised important questions about rights and protection for indigenous communities as climate change impacts increase.
Currently, India identifies 75 PVTGs spread across 18 states and one Union Territory. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs reports around 700,000 PVTG families living in 22,000 locations, facing significant shortfalls in healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. These communities are recognized due to their extreme vulnerability and long histories of exclusion.
One transformative aspect of the FRA is the recognition of habitat rights. These rights, particularly for PVTGs, extend beyond mere housing to encompass social, economic, and spiritual territories. However, only a handful of PVTGs have had these rights formally acknowledged—only 10 across three states as of March 2025. Odisha leads with several communities recognized, yet this is still a small fraction of the total PVTGs.
These slow advancements reflect barriers at various levels. Youth from PVTG communities often push for claims, yet they face challenges like bureaucratic red tape and a lack of resources to assert their rights effectively. Misunderstandings about what “habitat” truly means often reduce it to housing, ignoring its broader significance.
Recent global trends emphasize the importance of indigenous rights in climate action. The latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlight that communities who understand their local ecosystems are crucial for effective climate response.
PM-JANMAN, with its significant budget, acknowledges that the needs of PVTG communities have not been met. While building infrastructure is vital, it’s equally important to ensure that habitat rights are solidified. Without this foundational recognition, efforts to improve living conditions may not lead to genuine transformation.
International experiences tell us that simply recognizing indigenous rights isn’t enough. There must also be ongoing support for self-governance, ecological preservation, and local leadership. When communities are empowered as custodians of their lands, we create pathways toward genuine social and economic growth.
Ultimately, the future of PVTGs hinges on more than just rights recognition. It’s about establishing a deep connection between land, culture, and self-governance. The path forward involves saturating habitat rights, ensuring these communities not only survive but thrive.
By embracing indigenous wisdom and integrating it into national policies, we can work towards a more just future for all.
For more information on indigenous peoples’ rights and climate change, you can consult the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
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Forest Rights Act (FRA),FRA,habitat rights,tribal rights
