Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Goa CM Pledges Forest Right Claim Settlements by December 19
The Chief Minister of Goa announced a plan to quickly decide on claims for forest land rights by December 19.
About 10,500 people have applied, but only a few have been approved.
The government is holding special meetings and camps to speed things up.
They're also helping people prepare the paperwork since some people didn't attend the meetings before.
The CM said delays happened because people didn't participate in meetings and prepare documents, not due to government issues.
This process began in 2006, and now the government wants to speed it up.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a fast-track schedule to clear forest right claims.
Special gram sabhas will be convened on June 21 to approve pending applications.
Special camps will be held on June 14 in six talukas to expedite cases.
Approximately 10,500 applications have been submitted since 2006.
The government aims to dispose all applications by December 19.
- Who
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and forest-dwelling communities.
- What
- A fast-track process to clear pending applications for forest rights claims under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.
- When
- The Chief Minister announced the plans on Wednesday, with a target of December 19 for disposing all applications.
- Where
- Goa, specifically in six talukas: Quepem, Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Ponda and Canacona.
- Why
- To expedite the process of recognizing the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
Government's Perspective
Public Perception
Cause of Delays
Government's Perspective
Government blames delays on non-participation in gram sabhas and the failure of community representatives to prepare files.
Public Perception
Public may perceive delays due to bureaucratic inaction.
- Target Date
- December 19
- Applications Submitted
- 10,500
- Applications Cleared
- 870
- Applications Rejected
- 949
- Pending Applications
- 8,000
- Special Gram Sabha
- June 21
- Special Camps
- June 14 in 6 talukas