Consider the following statements : 1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas. 2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce. 3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 2 is correct: Section 2(i) of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 defines minor forest produce to include bamboo, brushwood, stumps, cane, tussar, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu leaves, medicinal plants and roots.
• Statement 3 is correct: Section 3(1)(c) grants forest dwellers the right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce.
• Statement 1 is wrong: the 2017 amendment to the Indian Forest Act removed bamboo from the definition of 'tree' only for bamboo grown on non-forest land, freeing it from felling and transit permits; bamboo in forest areas remains regulated.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the exemption applies to non-forest land only.
- (c) 3 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: bamboo is MFP under the FRA.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.