At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

Answer: D. The MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS is the nodal central agency for implementing the Forest Rights Act 2006. THE SCHEDULED TRIBES AND OTHER TRADITIONAL FOREST DWELLERS (RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS) ACT, 2006 — commonly called the FOREST RIGHTS ACT (FRA) — recognises: - Individual rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) over forest land they have been cultivating for generations. - COMMUNITY RIGHTS over minor forest produce, grazing, water bodies, biodiversity, cultural sites. - COMMUNITY FOREST RESOURCES (CFR) RIGHTS to manage, protect, and conserve forests. - Right to in-situ rehabilitation/development. NODAL AGENCY: The MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (MoTA) is the NODAL CENTRAL MINISTRY for implementation of the FRA. MoTA: - Issues guidelines and clarifications. - Monitors quarterly state-wise progress of claim filing and titles issued. - Coordinates with state Tribal Welfare departments (state nodal agencies). - Reports to Parliament on implementation. The act involves multiple stakeholders — Gram Sabha (initiating body), Sub-Divisional Committee, District Level Committee, State Monitoring Committee — but the central nodal coordinator is MoTA. Why other options are WRONG: (A) MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) was the BIG OPPONENT during FRA passage (it controlled Forest Departments). Although MoEFCC has stake in forest matters, the Act was specifically given to MoTA to prevent forest-bureaucracy capture. MoEFCC is consulted but is NOT the nodal agency. (B) Ministry of Panchayati Raj — implements PESA 1996, Panchayati Raj system; not FRA. (C) Ministry of Rural Development — implements MGNREGA, PMAY-G, rural housing/livelihoods; not FRA. Source: Forest Rights Act 2006 / Ministry of Tribal Affairs Annual Reports / FRA Rules 2007 (amended 2012).