Context:

Recently, thousands of tribal farmers and residents from Palghar and Nashik districts of Maharashtra undertook long marches demanding the fulfilment of long-pending rights and entitlements. The protests witnessed mass mobilisation of tribal farmers, in alliance with local communities, to draw attention to issues related to land rights, livelihoods, irrigation, and access to basic services.

Key Demands of Tribal Protesters:

• • • Forest Rights: Full implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, with land titles issued in individual names to ensure access to government schemes and institutional credit.
    • Irrigation: Construction of small dams and river-linking projects to facilitate multiple cropping seasons beyond rain-fed paddy cultivation.
    • Minimum Support Price (MSP): Guarantee of MSP for a diverse range of crops, including corn, soybean, onion, mango, ragi, jowar, and bajra.
    • Employment and Education: Effective implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, to strengthen tribal self-governance and employment opportunities. Filling vacancies in Zilla Parishad schools, improving educational access, and ensuring 24-hour electricity supply.

About the PESA Act and the Forest Rights Act:

The PESA Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 are landmark legislations aimed at empowering tribal communities and addressing historical injustices. Together, they form the backbone of tribal self-governance and forest rights in India.

• • • PESA Act, 1996 (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas)
      • Extends the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment to Fifth Schedule areas, enabling tribal self-rule based on the recommendations of the Bhuria Committee.
      • Empowers Gram Sabhas as core governance institutions, with mandatory consultation rights over land acquisition, resettlement, and the management of minor water bodies and minerals.
      • Provides social control mechanisms, including regulation of liquor, village markets, and money-lending, to protect tribal interests.
      • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
    • Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA)
      • Recognises pre-existing rights of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) by formally vesting land and forest resource rights.
      • Individual rights: Land titles up to four hectares for land cultivated before 13 December 2005.
      • Community rights: Rights to manage, collect, and sell Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as bamboo, honey, and tendu leaves.
      • Conservation rights: Community stewardship of forest resources to ensure sustainable use and conservation.
      • Eligibility: Scheduled Tribe status or proof of residence in forest areas for 75 years (three generations) in the case of OTFDs.
      • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).

Systemic Concerns and Implementation Gaps:

Despite their transformative intent, both PESA and FRA face significant implementation challenges, including bureaucratic apathy, slow processing of claims, and conflicts with large-scale development projects. A UNDP report (2025) highlighted the need for “post-recognition governance” and improved record-keeping of FRA title holders. Some studies also suggest that effective PESA implementation has led to increased tree canopy cover in areas with strong tribal governance, indicating positive ecological and social outcomes. These persistent gaps continue to fuel unresolved tribal grievances.

Conclusion:

The tribal farmers’ protests in Maharashtra reflect deeper structural issues related to tribal rights, land governance, and policy implementation. They underscore the importance of PESA and FRA as constitutional instruments for tribal empowerment, the need for effective administrative follow-through, and the broader challenge of balancing development objectives with social justice and ecological sustainability in tribal regions.