Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India]: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a meeting of the executive committee of the task force for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and the PESA Act at Samatva Bhawan, his residence, in Bhopal on Saturday.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for efficient execution of these initiatives and issued key instructions during the meeting.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) shared, “Today, CM Yadav held a meeting with the executive committee of the task force constituted for the ‘effective implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) and PESA Act in the state’ at the CM’s residence, Samatva Bhawan. During the meeting, the Chief Minister gave necessary instructions for the effective implementation of the schemes.”
According to an official release, CM Yadav directed officials to prioritize resolving claims under the PESA Act within a specific timeframe, adding that progress will be reviewed at the upcoming Collector-Commissioner Conference.
To bolster the implementation of the PESA Act, the Chief Minister proposed the formation of a dedicated PESA cell within the Tribal Affairs Department. He reiterated the need for 100% saturation in beneficiary-oriented schemes under the Dharti Aaba-Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) scheme, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlighting Madhya Pradesh’s role as a major producer of tendu leaves, CM Yadav urged the development of strategies to promote local businesses and encourage tendu leaf collectors within the state. He emphasized ensuring that the benefits reach the tribal community directly.
He also focused on converting forest villages into revenue villages to uplift tribal populations. Of the 925 forest villages identified in Madhya Pradesh, 827 have been slated for conversion. So far, 792 villages have been converted, and gazette notifications have been issued for 790 of them.
The Chief Minister stressed coordinated efforts among the Forest, Revenue, and Tribal Affairs departments at the district level. He called for enhancing tribal living standards while conserving forest areas, ensuring local community participation in the management of community forest resources, and engaging social organizations to expand these activities.
The meeting also discussed detailed provisions under the Madhya Pradesh Forest Rights Act and its implementation strategies.