Project objectives:

The study has been divided into two parts. The first is to study ST’s participation in MGNREGA. Under the same, GRAAM will:

• Assess the extent of participation of STs in the scheme compared to other communities at the national level and state level, and shed light on inter-state variations in the same
• Examine the factors which shape participation of STs and PVTGS in MGNREA, including a) factors shaping demand for work among the STs and PVTGs, and b) challenges faced by STs and PVTGs in obtaining and taking up work
• Examine the implementation processes, and enablers and barriers in the same (such as consideration of seasonal, cultural and ethnic aspects related to PVTG) which shape the extent to which STs and PVTGs participate in and benefit from the scheme
• Make policy and implementation recommendations for enhancing the participation and benefits from MGNREGA to the STs and PVTGs

To make it comprehensive, GRAAM will also study ST’s access to CFR for which:

• An examination of the procedure adopted in settling the land rights and community rights claims under FRA 2006 will be conducted
• An assessment of the implementation of FRA community rights in the selected study location will be conducted
• GRAAM will take an understanding of the proportion of acceptance and rejection of applications for CFR
• Will understand exclusion errors empirically by conducting field studies
• Will study the functioning duties and responsibilities of the Forest Rights Enforcement Committee and other related statutory committees in the district
• And also study the difficulties faced by the communities with regard to availability, storage, and disposal of small forest produce

Project Result / Accomplishments:

Stage Proposal-Grassroots Study – Report Creation – Completed

• Stakeholder consultation to understand the STs’ access to Community Forest Rights under Forest Rights Act and their participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was organized in May. The stakeholders’ meeting threw light on the status of MGNERGA and its access to the tribe community.
• As a part of the study, Focus Group Discussions and In depth Interviews have been conducted by the team of researchers from GRAAM to listen to the voices of the grassroots. The FGDs and IDIs gave the team an understanding of Forest Rights and the knowledge possessed by the Scheduled Tribe community.