A growing debate over forest laws and the implementation of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has brought renewed focus on the protection of customary land rights of indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
Despite the state’s rich forest cover and traditional systems of community ownership, concerns have been raised that existing legal frameworks may not fully recognise ancestral landholding practices followed by tribal communities for generations. Large areas classified as Unclassed State Forests (USFs) remain a key point of discussion, as many such lands have historically been managed and used by local communities without formal documentation.
Experts and legal observers point out that colonial-era forest regulations and subsequent forest conservation laws created a gap between government records and traditional ownership systems. The implementation of forest diversion rules and CAMPA-funded afforestation projects has further intensified discussions over whether community lands could gradually come under greater state control.
The issue has also highlighted the need for effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which was enacted to recognise the rights of forest-dependent communities.
Stakeholders argue that environmental conservation and tribal land rights should not be viewed as conflicting priorities. Instead, they emphasise the need for a balanced legal approach that protects Arunachal Pradesh’s forests while recognising the customary rights of indigenous people.
Calls have grown for reforms that address land classification issues, ensure community participation in conservation efforts, and create a framework that respects both ecological protection and traditional ownership systems.
