NRMC-FES-Cadasta Round Table on FRA & Geo-Spatial Technology
5th December 2019

‘Expediting Forest Right Act implementation for Inclusive Tenure Security, Livelihoods & Conservation: Geospatial Technology Options’

The roundtable will deliberate on the potential (and limitation) of Geospatial Technology for implementing Forest Rights Act (FRA) and how it can ensure enhanced tenure security and clarity while improving post-rights objectives of livelihoods and conservation. This session is expected to bring together the experiences, issues, challenges and good practices around FRA implementation in India, more particularly in Central Indian States with forest and tribal dominance viz. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, from a technology perspective. These states figure prominently in terms of implementation of FRA, as well as for their demonstrated intent, innovations as well as political and bureaucratic attentions. CSOs are also quite active in these states in catalysing rights recognition and post-rights outcomes. We propose to invite senior officials from state governments involved around FRA implementation along with nationally respected and acknowledged land and forest rights experts to for a panel conversation exploring way forward while analysing learnings.

This session will be jointly organized by NRMC-CLG, FES and Cadasta Foundation, who recently carried out a mapping pilot on best fit technology-institutional options for expediting FRA implementation in two villages in Odisha and Chhattisgarh testing different digital technologies (viz. DGNSS, high resolution satellite images, mobile phones with single/dual frequency GPS, hybrid methods, etc.). This pilot forms a part of a larger collaborative work to explore appropriate, fit-for-purpose technology options around diverse legal, social and institutional contexts for documenting and updating diverse land tenures. Following deliberation by the panel, initial results of the pilot will be shared with the aim of triggering conversations on potential geospatial strategies to assist and expedite FRA implementation for inclusive tenure security, livelihoods & conservation. Session will also attempt to unpack how the technology options can be integrated into existing FRA processes through enabling, collaborating and innovative digital-institutional ecosystems.

Target Audience

  • Relevant Government Officials from State Rural, Tribal, Revenue and Forest Departments
  • Other government officials
  • National Geospatial Agency representatives
  • CSO/CFR-LA network members
  • IT/GIS firms
  • Rural Livelihoods Missions/ Tribal Development organizations