The struggle for forest rights continues on the ground, in the courts and in the halls of the legislature.

According to the Campaign for Survival and Dignity, an organisation which has been consistently fighting for the rights of forest dwellers, the state is trying its level best to deny the forest people their rights. Across the country, villages have demarcated the boundaries of their community forest resources and sought to protect their traditional forests.  Across the country, manipulation of the rights recognition process has been challenged. 

On May 30th a morcha took place in Bhopal, organised by the Jangal Jeevan Adhikar Bachao Abhiyan (a platform of mass organisations, political party mass organisations and other groups) and attended by more than 6,000 people. The morcha demanded that the MP government implement the Act in its true spirit, and allow all forest communities to apply for their rights.

On May 31st a mass demonstration took place in Ranchi, Jharkhand, organised by the Bharat Jan Andolan. The demonstration attacked the Jharkhand State government for its continued apathy and demanded that the Act's provisions, particularly on hamlet level gram sabhas, be implemented properly.

The offensive of the ruling class against forest dwellers continues. In the courts a total of seven writ petitions have now been filed by vested interests challenging the forest act. These include petitions by retired forest officers, and elitist environmentalist groups. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs at the Centre has revealed that it does not care for the rights of forest dwellers. State authorities are trying level best to sabotage implementation of the act.

Despite a number of problems, the fact that there is a law recognising rights of forest dwellers is a victory for the forest dwellers. On the ground, it is the government and the forest department, for so long the untrammelled lords of the forest, which is getting exposed as violators of the law. The rising tide of popular struggle is testimony that forest dwellers will no longer accept the violation of their rights either by the state or by any private party.