Implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) in Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha

This article explains the implementation process of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (FRA) in the Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Gajapati district of Odisha. The status of implementation of FRA shows a lower rate of coverage due to higher information gap and remoteness of the areas. Many irregularities were observed in the FRA implementation process for which both officials involved in various states of FRA implementation process and forest dwellers were responsible. The progress of the Act need to be strictly monitor by an external agency along with the use of latest technology and services of local non-governmental organisations/self-help groups for the spread of information, capacity building and control of irregularities.