A three-day training workshop on the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) was conducted in Nashik from 21 to 23 August 2026, bringing together 12 grassroots workers working with tribal and forest-dependent communities.
The workshop focused on moving from legal awareness to practical action at the village level. Sessions covered Individual Forest Rights (IFR), Community Forest Rights (CFR), the role of the Gram Sabha, claim procedures, evidence collection, rejected claims and the appeal process.
The practical sessions focused on understanding the current status of IFR cases, reviewing rejection orders and identifying appropriate next steps. Participants also explored how to collect and document local evidence for CFR claims and take the process forward through the Gram Sabha.
A key message of the workshop was that knowing about forest rights is not enough; communities need the knowledge, leadership and support to turn these rights into local action. The discussions also connected forest rights with community leadership, Gram Sabha strengthening and local governance.
The workshop was part of the broader Institution Capacity Building Program (ICBP) of BELIEFSINDIA FOUNDATION, which recognises that strengthening communities also requires strengthening the local institutional ecosystem around them. The role of Gram Sabhas, Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Forest and Revenue Departments, MGNREGA and local organisations was discussed in the context of building stronger and more responsive local governance.
The workshop was conducted in collaboration with BELIEFSINDIA FOUNDATION, Rudaya Sanstha and the College of Social Work, Kamthi.
