India, Aug. 4 -- Forest rights experts have raised concern over a July 27 central government letter on Community Forest Resource Management Plans.

The letter asks states to align community forest resource plans with approved forest department Working Plans.

Experts say the move could weaken the authority of Gram Sabhas, which the Forest Rights Act recognises as the primary institution for determining and managing community forest rights.

Forest rights advocates say earlier guidelines since 2021 have increasingly shifted decision-making towards forest department and district-level administrative structures.

Experts have raised concern over a recent central government communication on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (F...