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AIUFWP submits letter LoP Rahul Gandhi, calls for action as forest rights remain in limbo

sabrang — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 04:34:50 +0000

Nearly two decades after the passage of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, forest-dependent communities across India continue to battle for their legally recognised rights. At a meeting between Sokalo Gond, Chairperson of AIUFWP and Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) has raised urgent concerns over the slow and ineffective implementation of the Act. The letter submitted to him calls for his intervention to ensure justice for millions of tribals and traditional forest dwellers, who remain at the mercy of state authorities and the Forest Department’s unchecked power.

The FRA 2006, enacted under the UPA-I government, was a watershed moment in recognising the rights of forest-dwelling communities by breaking away from the colonial-era policies that placed forests solely under government control. For the first time since Independence, the Act aimed to correct historical injustices by empowering Gram Sabhas (village councils) to determine land rights and putting an end to the arbitrary control exercised by the Forest Department. However, despite its promise, the on-ground reality remains bleak. The AIUFWP’s letter highlights multiple reasons for the failure of implementation, including:

Lack of political will among state governments to enforce the FRA.
Deliberate neglect by administrative officials, who refuse to acknowledge claims under the Act.
Continued harassment of forest-dependent communities by the Forest Department, which, instead of recognising their rights, evicts them and falsely prosecutes them under various laws.
Deliberate rejection of individual and community claims by authorities without proper consideration.
Failure to inform forest-dwelling communities about their legal rights, leaving them vulnerable to dispossession.

By submitting the letter to Gandhi on April 2, the AIUFWP had specifically pointed out that despite repeated submissions, no decision has been made on the community claims filed by the union. A list of these pending claims has been attached to the letter, underscoring the extent of bureaucratic delay.

Given these persistent challenges, the AIUFWP is demanding urgent intervention and has requested a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and representatives from multiple states to discuss the issue in detail. The letter, signed by Sokalo Gond, Chairperson of AIUFWP, makes it clear that without political action, the FRA risks becoming yet another unfulfilled promise for India’s most marginalised communities.

Sokalo Gond was accompanied by Munnar Gond. The meeting took place in Sansad Bhavan.

The complete letter may be read here.

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Struggle for forest rights, not an isolated movement: AIUFWP

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 12:25:30 +0000

As many as 7,000 (seven thousand villages) in India still aren’t recognised as per their revenue to enjoy benefits of the Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA), reported the All India Union for Forest Working People (AIUFWP) during its second national conference between December 1 and December 3, 2021.

Forest and Adivasi activists gathered in New Delhi to discuss the state of forest rights amidst the present political situation of the country. AIUFWP members discussed the challenges in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA).

Speaking during the briefing session of the conference, AIUFWP General Secretary Ashok Chaudhary said, “Our mission is to ensure that the forest rights movement is integrated into other democratic movements. It is important to understand the struggle as a fundamental political issue related to India’s political-economic structure.”

Looking back at the history of the forest rights struggle, he recalled how millions of forest dwelling communities fought for their rights during colonial rule. After a long struggle the FRA was passed to “undo the historical injustices suffered by forest dependent communities.”

The FRA put in place a three-stage process by which the rights of indigenous and other forest dwelling communities were to be recorded and recognised. It listed thirteen types of rights, including individual rights and community rights over land being cultivated, rights to non-timber forest produce, and most crucially, the right to protect and conserve forests which no Indian law had ever recognised as a right before. It also provided immense legal support to the forest-dwelling communities, allowing a proper process for rehabilitation in cases of their eviction and several other protective laws. The AIUFWP has been working for the last seven years to ensure the regularisation of this law across India. Doing so ensures land and livelihood security to indigenous communities.

“However, so far, the law has been regularised only in parts of Uttar Pradesh and north West Bengal. So, the Union is focused on assisting evicted communities reclaim their land, provided they are satisfied with the state of the land. We’ve already succeeded in this regard in places like Sonbhadra, Dudhwa, Kaimur,” said Chaudhary.

Forest rights not an isolated issue

During the conference, AIUFWP members resolved to keep voicing the need to shift the power related to forest decision in the hands of local Gram Sabhas. For the same, members stressed that forest rights is not an isolated movement.

Chaudhary said that the recent farmers’ struggle has largely impacted adivasis as well, who are farmers as well. He argued that land rights and forest rights are integral issues that weave in problems related to labour, human rights.

“The main point is not to see the struggle in isolation because forests contain many diverse communities. It is not just farmers or labourers. Forests also have minorities that have suffered during the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

Accordingly, he also sympathised with members of the Gujjar and Muslim communities who tolerated severe xenophobia during Covid-19.

To show their support for other democratic mobilisation in India, President Sokalo Gond along with many other members headed towards farmer protest sites on December 4.

AIUFWP regional reports

The second-half of the conference began with regional reports of communities. The Kaimur delegation talked about how women members reclaimed forests despite being sent to jail. The Bihar government’s forest department has not claimed the land. While conflict persists in the area, the women said they will stand firm in asserting their legal and constitutional rights. Leaders considered this an achievement in itself.

Similarly, delegates from Kerala reported how community members were surrounded by authorities and disallowed from stepping outside their area. Latest reports said that the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) party members have approached locals for talks.

Further, communities in the northern part of West Bengal are struggling to regulate the FRA owing to territorial autonomy. While two districts managed to realise this goal post-elections, the Gorkha region remains autonomous.

AIUFWP’s women trailblazers

The strength of women leaders in the movement was highlighted all the more when another woman was elected President by the Union on Friday – Sokalo Gond. According to leaders, women leadership is a crucial step in the way of women empowerment.

“It is important to acknowledge women’s contributions. Sometimes men struggle in being led by women. However, in the forest rights struggle and during the session, the women led the whole discussion,” said Chaudhary.

Sokalo Gond is also among the women forest rights defenders from Lilasi village, who stood up against police brutality in May 2018. She was illegally detained and along with Kismatiya Gond, for months until a sustained campaign by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) helped their release.

For her Presidential speech to attendees Sokalo said, “We know we need to challenge the ruling regime, and for that we need to firstly, make sure the four district members present here voice their grievances. We will show them our work to improve health and education and our next generation will get the opportunities we didn’t.”

The rights activist also challenged the Supreme Court’s 2019 order that called for the large-scale eviction of forest-dwellers, based on the Indian Forest Act 1927.

Introducing AIUFWP Team

Aside from Sonbhadra’s Sokalo, the AIUFWP went through many place-holder changes. While Jarjum Ete became the President Emeritus, former General Secretary Ashok Choudhary became the Working President. Similarly, former Deputy General Secretary Roma Malik became the General Secretary.

Dehradun Adivasi leader and veteran activist Munni Lal became the Treasurer and Delhi’s Amir Khan took the post of National Organising Secretary. Seven individuals took up the post of Vice-President including three women: CJP Secretary Teesta Setalvad, Malapurram’s Chitra M. R. and Lakhimpur Kheri’s Nabada Rana. Other VPs are Mujhahid Nafees, Kishore Thapa, Balkeswar Kharwar and Mata Dayal. Newly appointed AIUFWP Secretaries are K. Krishnan, Sarath Cheloor, Shiva Sunwar, Tapas Mondal.

Towards the conclusion of the event, the AIUFWP thanked other organisations like the National Trade Union of India (NTUI) for attending the event and expressing their support for the struggle. NTUI General Secretary Gautam Modi promised the Union’s continued support in the communities’ efforts to protect their jal, jangal, zameen.

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AIUFWP elects Sokalo Gond as new President

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 05:43:59 +0000

Adivasi and forest rights leader Sokalo Gond was elected the new President of All India Union For Forest Working People (AIUFWP) on December 3, 2021 marking the conclusion of the 2nd National Conference of the Union.

On Friday, prominent leaders working in the field of defending forest, land and legal rights of Adivasis, other forest-dwelling communities and forest workers, came together to discuss AIUFWP’s future interventions and resolutions.

Accordingly, members also conducted elections for various post holders in the national committee. Sokalo Gond, a fearless forest rights defender who inspires women leaders across the country with her strength and courage, was elected as the President of the Union. Thanking the attendees for the same, she spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on Adivasi education and health.

“We know we need to challenge the ruling regime, and for that we need to firstly, make sure the four district members present here voice their grievances. We will show them our work to improve health and education and our next generation will get the opportunities we didn’t,” said Sokalo.

Sokalo Gond and fellow activist Nivada Rana had moved Supreme Court against its 2019 order calling for the ‘eviction’ of millions of Adivasis and forest-dwelling communities. While the apex court order was based on the Indian Forest Act 1927, Sokalo and Nivada opposed the same as an abuse of their constitutional rights. Gond and Rna’s petition was backed by CJP and AIUFWP.

Further, Sokalo Gond is also among the women forest rights defenders from Lilasi village, who stood up against police brutality in May 2018. She was illegally detained and kept behind bars along with Kismatiya Gond, for months until a sustained campaign by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) helped their release.

Recalling the same, Sokalo earlier said, “The forest department officials used to beat us and try to gang up on us in the beginning. We had some hard times. These officials are still looting us and no one holds them accountable. However, we – especially women – will fight for our constitutional rights.”

During the inaugural event, CJP Secretary Teesta Setalvad lauded Sokalo and other women leaders, saying, “Women leaders and senior members of the Union stand at the front because this unique movement believes in being led by those struggling on-ground. CJP continues to support the people who mobilise on-ground for jal, jangal, zameen.”

The Conference ended with a passionate rendition of revolutionary songs by the Pratidhwani team led by Subhendu Ghosh.

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Sokalo Gond and Nivada Rana move SC demanding forest rights

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 04:01:19 +0000

Adivasi human rights defenders Sokalo Gond and Nivada Rana have moved Supreme Court praying for justice for millions of forest dwellers, especially women, who have been denied forest rights, and now face the prospect of eviction from their traditional habitats. The duo have filed an intervention application in the ongoing case led by Wildlife First.

Image: https://cjp.org.in/

It may be recalled that on February 13 this year, the Supreme Court had ordered the eviction of thousands of Adivasi and forest dwelling families from their traditional habitat. Though the order was subsequently stayed, the fate of these people still hangs in the balance and their future remains uncertain. The loss of not just their homes, but also their livelihoods threatens to deal twin body blows from which these marginalised and vulnerable people are unlikely to recover.

In the five months since then, 19 intervention applications have been filed in the matter, all defending the constitutional validity of the Forest Rights Act 2006, a historic legislation that brings a jurisprudential shift in recognising the livelihood rights of traditional forest Dwellers, Adivasis and Dalits.

Sokalo and Nivada’s intervention application is supported by the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), two organisations that have been actively campaigning for forest rights. What makes this intervention application special is that it explains how the law is in statutory line with Schedules V, VI and IX of the Constitution. Forest Rights Act 2006 is the first and only law that recognises the independent rights of women over land and cultivation. The law was brought in to set right the imbalance of power in favour of a Repressive Forest Department empowered by the colonial-era Indian Forest Act of 1927.

Adivasis and forest dwelling communities have already borne the brunt of historical injustices at the hands of the British colonists who brought about legislations to appropriate forest land and produce. What subsequent administrations failed to acknowledge is that these traditional forest dwelling communities are also the ones protecting our environment and biodiversity from twin threats from greedy corporations and climate change.

Moreover, counter affidavits have been filed by at least 10 state governments. The matter comes up for hearing today.

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An appeal for a life of dignity: Sonbhadra Forest movement leader calls for protests on July 14

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 05:48:28 +0000

Forest movement leader Sokalo Gond calls for July 14 to be commemorated in the memory of her son who died because of Hindalco doctors’ apathy

“The day he died we went to buy school dress, pencils and everything else for the other children. He was getting fever for some days. I took him to a local hospital [near Majhauli], they said that his blood count is low and asked me to take him somewhere else. In Dudhi too, the doctors expressed their inability to treat him and asked my son to be taken elsewhere. I then went home to get some money because I had no idea how much it will cost.

My son said, Ma ask didi to cook something, it won’t be nice to eat from anywhere else in the night. Then we went to the Hindalcohospital and they took him in. He was admitted for several hours before a doctor even examined him. They kept delaying his treatment. The doctor who would come for the night shift would say that the blood transfer would take place in the morning. The next morning, by 8 am, when the shift was about to change they didn’t do anything. They didn’t even give him any medicines. Then my son started feeling more uncomfortable, asking for our relatives from the village to be be called, they took time. He told me, either you are lying or there is some problem. I tried to assure him but his condition kept worsening,”
Sokalo Gond, Sonbhadra UP

Forest rights leader and human rights defender SokaloGond has made an appeal to align protests opposing the Supreme Court order on eviction and government’s anti-forest rights stand with that of the martyrdom of her 13 year old son who died in a Hindalco hospital in Sonbhadra, UP five years back, due to alleged careless and lack of care.

In 2013, MithileshGond, SokaloGond’s died in Hindalco hospital located in Renukoot, Uttar Pradesh (UP) because of the reported carelessness of the doctors there. Mithilesh was in desperate need of blood but even after twelve hours of being in the hospital and despite the urgency of the situation, the then CMO there, Dr.PramodYadav didn’t give blood to the 13 year old boy. An investigation into this matter led to the conclusion that there was indeed carelessness in the manner the case was dealt with. However, no action was taken against the callous doctors. This is a regular phenomenon in the hospital especially with the poor labourers and Adivasis in the nearby areas, who have no option but to knock at the doors of this hospital for the treatment. When a struggle was waged against this by the All India Union for Forest Working People (AIUFWP), the leading faces of the struggle were charged with false cases under serious charges.

Even today, the struggle for a decent healthcare so that young children like Mithilesh don’t meet the same fate is going on. The forest dwellers, mainly Adivasis and Dalits have to travel far and wide in order to avail even the most basic healthcare services. Even they make it to these public health centres (PHCs) or government hospitals, they are met with apathy and indifference. They are repeatedly fooled for money, as well. The struggle for a decent life of dignity with bare minimal healthcare facilities is real. Every year, Mithilesh’sShahadatDiwas(Martyrdom day) is celebrated on the 600 acres of Birsa Nagar land that was claimed under the community forest rights.

This year too, his Shahadatdiwas will be celebrated on the same land in Majhauli, Dudhi in UP’s Sonbhadra.

https://cjp.org.in/forest-rights-organisations-urge-goi-to-defend-fra-2006/

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