Libertatem Magazine Issue 2 | Page 32

Conclusion It took a long time for the Government to recognize the forest rights of the tribal communities and traditional dwellers through the Forest Rights Act but again that recognition is seemed to have been fading away. It has just been 9 years since the Act has come into force and as rightly pointed out by the District Forest Officer of the Nilgiris the Act is still young. Implementation of the Act has certainly not been up to the mark but that does not mean the Act is a ‘bad law’. The government instead of trying to impede the implementation of the Act must try and work a way to give the Act a stronger position. The unpleasant history again seems to be repeating for the tribal communities and traditional dwellers in the forests. Their voices are again being unheard. Development and growth has consumed the government and is leading them to take irrational decisions. Subversion of the Act will only lead to consequences that are unasked for. A good government is which recognizes the right of every individual and then move towards development and growth. Sustainable development should be the buzzword today and the government should work towards achieving that by recognising the rights of the traditional forest dwellers. 32