Forest rights can influence poll results in nearly a third of LS seats.

Objective: To protect the rights of STs and other forest dwellers and balance the right to environment with their right to life and livelihood.

   Provisions:

●     Officially the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

●     Individual rights: Right to reside in forest land, Right to cultivation, Right to minor forest produce.

●     Community Rights: Right to manage and use forest resources, Gram Sabha powers to resolve disputes, and recommend development plans, forest committees to assist Gram Sabha.

●     Any transfer of forest land for non-forestry use requires the consent of the Gram Sabha.