Land titles under FRA lend dignity to 21 single women
In a first in Odisha, Boriguda women claim land titles after four years of struggle with the help of NGO Pradan; make economic progress by cultivating their newly-acquired lands, besides salvaging their position in society
Rayagada, Odisha: Sundari Huika is happy that her daughter in-law Rupai Huika, with whom she shares a cordial relationship even after her son Sanjay’s death, now owns land. Rupai is one among the 21 single women who received individual land titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) on January 7 last year, in tribal-dominated Boriguda village of Rayagada district. This is the first instance of single women gaining such rights anywhere in Odisha.
The FRA passed in 2006 allows tribals and forest dwellers rights over forest resources. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal agency for its implementation.
Rupai placed her claim in October 2018. Though just 0.28 acres, the land helps Rupai and son Suman Huika sustain by cultivating kandulo (toor dal). “It is tasty. We store some for personal consumption and sell the rest at Rs 60 per kg,” Sundari told 101Reporters.