Paper short abstract:

This paper aims to probe that how far the struggle of adivasi women for the community rights over forest resources in forest areas has challenged the nature and functioning of State apparatus in these areas and what has been the role of a ‘progressive’ law i.e. Forest Rights Act, 2006 in their struggle?

Paper long abstract:

This paper aims to probe that how far the struggle of adivasi women for the community rights over forest resources in the Dudhwa National Park has challenged the nature and functioning of State apparatus in this area? What has been the role of a 'progressive' law i.e. FRA in their struggle for livelihood resources? Through the examination of their struggle for community resources this paper wants to propose that though adivasi women are facing many obstacles in their struggle, they have challenged the dominance of FD in this area and defied patriarchy in their families and society. In their continuous struggle they have faced many cases against them on the basis of Forest Act, 1927 and Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, however, now they are using FRA to assert their rights over forest resources, which has led to the emergence of 'legalism form below' in forest areas.