Report of the joint committee on the scheduled tribes (recognition of forest rights) bill, 2005

The Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill 2005 has been prepared by the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Government of India, "to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes who have been residing in such forests for generations, but whose rights could not be recorded;' 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.' The Bill was introduced in the Parliament during December 2005 and generated debate both inside and outside for and against the provisions mentioned therein. It was referred to a joint Parliamentary Committee which have submitted it's report.