The Centre for Tribal Studies and Social Justice at National Law University Tripura organised a two-day workshop on forest rights, legal safeguards, and tribal governance on April 25 and 26, bringing together experts, officials, and community representatives to deliberate on key issues affecting tribal communities.
Former judge of the Tripura High Court, U.B. Saha, attended the inaugural session as chief guest. He was joined by Tribal Welfare Department Director Subhasis Das and TR&CI Deputy Director Ruma Rudra Paul. In his address, Justice Saha observed that welfare laws often fail to achieve their intended outcomes due to poor implementation and lack of awareness, particularly among tribal populations. He highlighted that structural gaps persist, partly due to the lingering influence of colonial legal frameworks and restricted access to land and resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Subhasis Das pointed out that the Forest Rights Act, 2006 remains progressive in scope but continues to face challenges in implementation. He noted that recognition of community forest rights is still limited, with procedural bottlenecks and low awareness preventing many eligible beneficiaries from accessing their entitlements.
NLU Tripura Founding Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Pratap Singh, in his welcome address, described the Forest Rights Act as a landmark legislation aimed at addressing historical injustices faced by tribal communities. He emphasised the importance of ensuring effective implementation while maintaining a balance with constitutional provisions.
Officials said that the sessions over the two days covered a range of topics, including provisions of the Forest Rights Act, challenges in its enforcement, constitutional safeguards, relevant government schemes, and the structure and functioning of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
The workshop saw participation from tribal leaders nominated by the Tribal Welfare Department, youth representatives from various districts, as well as students and scholars from institutions across the state. The valedictory session was attended by Pranajit Bhowmik, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Protection), as chief guest.
The programme was coordinated by faculty member Merelin Darlong, who delivered the vote of thanks, marking the conclusion of a comprehensive and engaging workshop.
