S3|EP25 - Rethinking Conservation: Forest Rights & Community- Based Conservation | Meenal Tatpati

In this powerful episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we are joined by Meenal Tatpati, a leading researcher and advocate for forest rights, indigenous knowledge, and democratic conservation. Together, we explore the transformative impact of the Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA 2006) and challenge the outdated logic of fortress conservation.

Meenal explains how the forest rights act of 2006 recognizes the historical injustice faced by forest dwellers, including Adivasi communities, by legally securing their access to forests and resources. We also dive into how the Supreme Court and recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act are reshaping debates around indigenous rights, climate change, and the governance of nature reserves.

🔍 Key Themes:

* What is the Forest Rights Act and why it matters

* How fortress conservation displaces communities instead of empowering them

* The role of community-based conservation and traditional knowledge in protecting biodiversity

* The tension between protected areas and forest dweller rights

* Voluntary vs. forced resettlement under the forest dwellers act 2006

* Resilience, activism, and indigenous innovation

* The challenges of implementing FRA 2006 and benefit-sharing mechanisms

* The power of grassroots conservation and participatory forest governance

Meenal shares stories from Rajasthan, Odisha, and Maharashtra—where local communities have not only defended their lands but also pioneered community conservation efforts rooted in indigenous science. She also speaks about her work with pastoralist and adivasi groups and the cultural values that guide their relationship with forests.

This episode unpacks how forest dwellers are not just passive victims of conservation—they are frontline protectors of India's ecosystems. We discuss how empowering them through fra 2006, respecting their traditional knowledge, and ensuring benefit sharing is essential for inclusive conservation and long-term sustainability.

🌿 If you care about climate change, indigenous rights, and the future of our forests, this is an episode you can’t miss.

📚 Recommended Reading:

* Rewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery – Jepson & Blythe

* Rewilding Africa: The Restoration of Wilderness on a War-Ravaged Continent

* Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World

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🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

Meet the Host

Anish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlife

Think Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/

Meet the Guests

Meenal Tatpati: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenal-tatpati-7330b7240?originalSubdomain=in

Recommended Wildlife Conservation Books

Wildlife Conservation in India by HS Pabla: https://amzn.to/3Ypx9Zh

Indian Mammals: A Field Guide by Vivek Menon: https://amzn.to/4fhMiCL

At the Feet of Living Things by Aparajita Datta: https:/