Ranchi, April 9: Representatives of various states today threw light on the problems and solutions of villagers following the implementation of the Tribal Forest Right Act passed by the Parliament in 2006.

Representatives of state sub-committees of Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand attended the workshop on Forest Right Act organised by the state welfare department.

A three-member committee of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Government of India, would present the pros and cons of the Forest Right Act by inviting extra suggestions so it could be implemented as early as possible.

State principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) R.K Zutsi said there are 24 forest villages in Jharkhand established between 1882 and 1910 but there is no record because they were not part of “revenue villages”.

In a bid to help the dwellers residing in forest villages, the forest department with the local administration has installed handpumps in the villages. As far as rights are concerned, forest dwellers will have the right to collect water, firewood and timber. “Besides, the forest dwellers will also have the right to harvest bidi leaf, timber and bamboo,” added Zutsi.