Task Force for Conversion of Forest Land – Forest Rights
BCWD, Land Reforms, Tribal Development, Task Force
GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, DJ-4, SECTOR-II, SALT LAKE, KOL-91
Website: www.anagrasarkalyan.gov.in
No. 72-TDD dated the 7th August, 2014
MEMORANDUM
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, was passed by the Parliament, inter alia to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and to provide for a framework for recording the forest rights so vested and the nature of evidence required for such recognition and vesting in respect of forest land. In West Bengal about 32,000 Pattas (Forest Rights) have already been issued covering more or less 17,000 acres of forest land. And these pieces of land are required to be brought under Revenue records by way of inclusion in the Settlement records under the West Bengal Land Reforms Rules, 1965, after due survey of the boundary of identified forest lands.
2. After careful consideration of the matter, the Governor is pleased to decide that a Task Force may be constituted with the object of co-ordinating the process of conversion of forest land and preparation of record-of-rights in favour of Patta-holders with the following members:-
(a) The Land Reform Commissioner – Chairman;
(b) The Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department – Member;
(c) The Principal Secretary, Forest Department – Member;
(d) The Managing Director, West Bengal Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation (Nodal Officer for Forest Rights Act) – Convenor;
(e) Director of Land Records & Survery – Permanent Invitee.
3. This order will take immediate effect.
Pr. Secy. to the Govt. of West Bengal.