What Is PESA And How It Is Helping Towards Forest Conservation?

Deforestation has been a core environmental issue faced by India. With the rapid development taking place in the country, the burden on natural resources has increased considerably. The forest cover is slowly disappearing due to rapid deforestation. Forests are the major source of timber and land. While there are Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines mandating replantation of the forest cover that has been cleared, such guidelines remain largely on paper. According to Global Forest Watch, India has seen a deforestation of 2.33 million hectares since 2000, leading to a 6% decrease in tree cover. A recent study has highlighted how the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act has boosted the forest conservation efforts in scheduled areas of India.

In this article, readers will learn about the role of the PESA Act in forest conservation in India, its provisions, and how tribal communities protect forests under PESA, ultimately showing the importance of community-driven governance in environmental protection.

What Is The PESA Act?

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act) of 1996 was enacted to promote political representation of Scheduled Tribes in scheduled areas and to restore traditional methods of governance. By ensuring tribal rights and self-governance, the Act has become a cornerstone of environmental governance in tribal areas.

The Act provides for the formation of Gram Sabhas in tribal villages, giving them more control over administrative decisions. This framework has strengthened community forest management and restored traditional systems where decision-making was collective, resembling parliamentary, administrative, and judicial setups. The PESA Act thus empowers adivasis to safeguard their ecological and cultural habitat through sustainable natural resource use.

PESA Act And Forest Conservation: Key Findings

A recent study published in the American Political Science Review shows the impact of PESA on biodiversity and forest preservation. Key highlights include:

• Increased representation of STs has enhanced the role of PESA Act in forest conservation in India.

• Deforestation processes in villages near mines have significantly reduced due to the decision-making powers of the Gram Panchayats in Scheduled Areas. Moreover, mining activities in certain regions have been barred entirely by these Gram Panchayats, in turn conserving the natural sphere.

• Mining activities have been restricted or stopped in certain areas, ensuring indigenous people’s environmental protection.

• Forest canopy in scheduled areas has increased by 3%, reflecting the importance of community rights in sustainable forestry.

• By granting ownership of minor forest produce, PESA has created economic incentives and food security, boosting community forest management.

Interestingly, the study concluded that the Forest Rights Act, 2006, had minimal impact, while the PESA Act and environmental governance in tribal areas proved more effective in addressing deforestation.