Conference Overview
Wadrafnagar, Balrampur District, Chhattisgarh | 21 June 2026
Bhumi Bandhu Samajik Adhyan Prashikchan Evam Sodh Sansthan organizes One-Day Conference on PESA Act, Forest Rights and Community Governance in Wadrafnagar.
Bhumi Bandhu Sansthan successfully organized a One-Day Conference on 21 June 2026 at the Community Hall, Wadrafnagar, bringing together community leaders, elected representatives, youth and social activists from across the Surguja Division to strengthen awareness of tribal rights, democratic governance and sustainable community development.
The conference focused on three key themes: the PESA Act, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and Social and Economic Governance in Scheduled Areas.
The event witnessed the active participation of 50 representatives from different parts of the Surguja Division, including Gram Panchayat Sarpanches, Panchayat representatives, social workers, youth leaders, social media influencers and members of civil society organizations. The conference served as an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and collective action to promote the constitutional rights of tribal communities.
Inaugural Session
The inaugural session welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of strengthening Gram Sabhas as the foundation of self-governance in Scheduled Areas. The organizers emphasized that informed community leadership is essential for protecting natural resources, safeguarding tribal rights and ensuring inclusive development.
Technical Session I: PESA Act, 1996
The first technical session on the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) was facilitated by Jangsay, Resource Person. The session explained the objectives and legal provisions of the PESA Act, emphasizing the constitutional powers of Gram Sabhas in managing local resources, preserving tribal customs and traditions, regulating village development and ensuring community participation in decision-making. Participants discussed practical challenges in implementing PESA and explored ways to strengthen local governance institutions.
Technical Session II: Forest Rights Act, 2006
The second session focused on the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and was conducted by Rajbalee Markam, Program Coordinator, Bhumi Bandhu Sansthan. The presentation highlighted the importance of recognizing both Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR), the legal procedures for filing claims and the central role of Gram Sabhas in protecting forest resources. Participants were encouraged to promote awareness of forest rights in their villages and support eligible tribal and traditional forest-dwelling families in accessing their legal entitlements.
Technical Session III: Social and Economic Governance
The final technical session was delivered by Dr. Narven Kashav Tekam, who addressed the theme of Social and Economic Governance. He spoke about strengthening traditional community institutions, promoting sustainable livelihoods, preserving indigenous knowledge systems, encouraging youth leadership and building self-reliant tribal communities through collective participation and local governance.
Interactive Discussions and Community Participation
Throughout the conference, participants actively engaged in discussions, shared experiences from their respective villages, and identified common challenges related to the implementation of tribal laws and community governance. Interactive question and answer sessions enabled participants to seek practical guidance from the resource persons and exchange successful practices from different areas of the Surguja Division.
Resolutions and Way Forward
At the conclusion of the programme, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Gram Sabhas, spreading awareness of the PESA Act and the Forest Rights Act, protecting community resources, promoting social harmony and encouraging active participation of youth and women in village governance. They also resolved to work collaboratively to ensure the effective implementation of tribal rights and constitutional provisions at the grassroots level.
Acknowledgement
Bhumi Bandhu Sansthan expressed its gratitude to all the resource persons, participants, community leaders, and volunteers whose contributions made the conference successful. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts that empower tribal communities through legal awareness, capacity building, community leadership and sustainable development initiatives across the Surguja Division of Chhattisgarh.
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