28 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Social IssuesPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Nashik Farmers' Long March Enters Thane; Demands Fulfilled

Nashik farmers' long march reaches Thane, Maharashtra govt assures fulfillment of demands.

Photo by Daria S

Thousands of tribal farmers and farm laborers, who were participating in a 'long march' from Nashik to Mumbai for their land rights and other long-pending demands, crossed into neighboring Thane district on Tuesday. A delegation of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence in Mumbai. Ashok Dhawale, AIKS president, said the Chief Minister has assured the delegation of fulfilling the demands of the protesting farmers. A final decision on suspending the march will be taken after a discussion with the protesters. The farmers have been demanding the implementation of assurances under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, completion of irrigation projects, and filling of vacant posts in zila parishad schools. The protesters had started the march on January 25. They will now halt at Bhatsa in Thane until Wednesday.

Key Facts

Farmers marched from Nashik to Mumbai for land rights

AIKS met CM Fadnavis, assurances given

Demands: FRA implementation, irrigation projects, vacant posts

March started: January 25

Halt at Bhatsa in Thane until Wednesday

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Social Justice, Government Policies and Interventions

GS Paper III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

Potential questions on tribal rights, land reforms, and environmental governance

Visual Insights

Nashik to Thane Long March Route

Map showing the route of the farmers' long march from Nashik, through Thane, towards Mumbai, highlighting the districts involved.

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📍Maharashtra📍Maharashtra📍Maharashtra

More Information

Background

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, officially known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, has its roots in the historical injustices faced by tribal communities and forest dwellers in India. Before its enactment, forest management was largely controlled by the government, often disregarding the rights and needs of these communities who had been living in and depending on forests for generations. The Act aimed to correct this historical wrong by recognizing and vesting forest rights in these communities, including rights to land, use of forest resources, and management of forests.

The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas. It aims to enable self-governance for tribal populations through traditional Gram Sabhas. PESA recognizes the right of tribal communities to govern their own affairs and manage natural resources in accordance with their customs and traditions.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the implementation of the FRA has faced several challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, lack of awareness among forest officials and communities, and conflicts between conservation efforts and the recognition of forest rights. There have been ongoing debates about the balance between environmental protection and the rights of forest dwellers. Several court cases have also challenged the validity and implementation of the FRA.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been working to streamline the implementation process and address these challenges. Regarding PESA, many states with scheduled areas are still struggling to fully implement the act in letter and spirit. There are concerns about the devolution of powers to Gram Sabhas and the effective participation of tribal communities in decision-making processes related to natural resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key demands of the Nashik farmers who participated in the long march, as per the news?

The key demands of the Nashik farmers, as per the news, include the implementation of assurances under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), completion of irrigation projects, and filling of vacant posts.

2. What is the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and why is it important in the context of this march?

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 recognizes the rights of tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources. It is important in this context because the farmers are demanding its proper implementation, as assurances under the act have not been fulfilled.

3. When did the Nashik farmers' long march start?

The Nashik farmers' long march started on January 25th, as per the information provided.

4. Who is Ashok Dhawale and what is his role in this event?

Ashok Dhawale is the president of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). He led the delegation that met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the farmers' demands.

5. What assurances did the Maharashtra Chief Minister give to the protesting farmers?

The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, assured the delegation of fulfilling the demands of the protesting farmers, including the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

6. How does the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) relate to the farmers' demands?

The farmers are demanding the implementation of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). This act empowers local self-governance in tribal areas, giving Gram Sabhas a crucial role in managing natural resources.

7. What are the potential challenges in implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) effectively?

Challenges in implementing the FRA include bureaucratic hurdles, lack of awareness among forest officials and communities, and conflicts between conservation efforts and the recognition of forest rights. Court cases also challenge the FRA implementation.

8. Why is this farmers' march considered a significant social issue?

This farmers' march highlights the ongoing issues of land rights, livelihood security, and the implementation of laws meant to protect vulnerable communities. It brings attention to the socio-economic challenges faced by farmers and tribal populations.

9. What recent developments have occurred regarding the farmers' demands?

Recent developments include the farmers' long march reaching Thane district and a delegation of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who assured them that their demands would be met.

10. For UPSC Prelims, what should I focus on regarding this news?

For UPSC Prelims, focus on the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), the demands of the farmers, and the key personalities involved (Devendra Fadnavis, Ashok Dhawale).

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: 1. It recognizes and vests the forest rights and occupation in Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations. 2. The Act provides for the constitution of a Forest Rights Committee at the village level to initiate and facilitate the process of determining the nature and extent of individual and community forest rights. 3. The Act extends to all forest lands including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, without any restrictions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The FRA recognizes the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have resided in forests for generations. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Act mandates the formation of Forest Rights Committees at the village level. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: While the Act extends to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, it does provide for certain restrictions and safeguards to protect the environment and wildlife. The rights are subject to conditions for sustainable use and conservation.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)?

A.It aims to create a uniform system of panchayati raj institutions across India, including scheduled areas.
B.It empowers Gram Sabhas in scheduled areas to manage all natural resources, irrespective of state laws.
C.It extends Part IX of the Constitution to scheduled areas with certain modifications, recognizing the traditional rights of tribal communities.
D.It mandates that all development projects in scheduled areas must be approved by the central government.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Option C is correct. PESA extends Part IX of the Constitution to scheduled areas, with modifications to recognize the traditional rights of tribal communities. It does not create a uniform system (A), nor does it give Gram Sabhas absolute control over natural resources (B), or mandate central government approval for all projects (D).

3. Assertion (A): The implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) has been slow and faces numerous challenges. Reason (R): There is often a conflict between conservation efforts and the recognition of forest rights under the FRA. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true, but R is false.
D.A is false, but R is true.

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true. The slow implementation of FRA is partly due to the conflict between conservation efforts and the recognition of forest rights. Conservationists often worry about the potential impact of recognizing these rights on forest ecosystems, leading to resistance and delays in implementation.