The Indian Parliament approved this July a passage from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund, better known as CAMPA Bill, which seeks to hand over large funds for promoting enormous “afforestation” plans; that is, monoculture tree plantations. Social movements and groups in India are strongly criticizing the Bill as it threatens the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, a fundamental law that recognizes the rights of forest people while empowering village institutions to govern their own forests as well as all other forests they depend on. According to the Act, community institutions can stop any project if it harms their cultural or natural heritage, and they can take steps to protect and conserve forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
Read the statement in English from All India Forum of Forest Movements (AIFFM) here:
http://iphrdefenders.net/india-campa-bill-passed-forest-communities-india-today-stands-betrayed-political-class/
