We belong to the forest

This compilation of case studies from the central eastern tribal states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand is an attempt to bring together practices and experiences of forest dependent communities of managing and governing their resources. It also explains how the Forest Rights Act, 2006, is seen by the forest dwelling communities as a means to regain control over their forests and its “well -being”. The compilation captures the processes that the communities followed in claiming their rights as well as the challenges they faced during their engagement with the administration and the paper work that it entailed.