09-September-2024

Recognizing Indigenous Land Rights: 257 CFR Titles Distributed in Jharkhand

At the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav in Ranchi, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Gangwar presented four symbolic CFR titles to representatives from Simdega, Gumla, Sahibganj, and Bokaro districts. The remaining titles will be distributed at the district level, ensuring that Indigenous and forest-dependent communities gain formal recognition of their traditional land rights.

As part of the Abua Bir Abua Dishom (ABAD) campaign, the government of Jharkhand has taken a significant step toward recognizing the land rights of Indigenous communities. In a landmark initiative, 257 Community Forest Resource (CFR) titles were awarded across 13 districts, covering 73,583 acres of forest land. This initiative strengthens community tenure under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).

The Abua Bir Abua Dishom (ABAD) Campaign

Launched on November 6, 2023, by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the ABAD campaign aims to accelerate the processing of pending and new land claims under FRA. The initiative uses the JharFRA mobile application to streamline claims and ensure faster resolution.

The campaign is supported by key knowledge and technology partners:

• Foundation of Ecological Security (FES)

• Partnering Hope into Action (PHIA) Foundation

• Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE), Indian School of Business (ISB)

A state-level FRA Cell has been established to coordinate efforts, with representatives from all three organizations working to enhance policy implementation, community outreach, and data-driven decision-making.

With formal CFR recognition, Indigenous communities now have the legal authority to govern, protect, and sustainably manage their forests. This initiative not only secures tenure but also strengthens economic resilience and environmental conservation. The ABAD campaign continues to advance land rights, ensuring that more communities benefit from secure resource ownership and the ability to define their own development pathways.

This initiative represents a shift toward empowering Indigenous communities as stewards of forest ecosystems and key decision-makers in land governance.