ABSTRACT
The study discusses the salient features of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and the Forest Rights Act. The study highlights the issues related to implementation of the act and its implications on the people whose interest the act is supposed to protect. However, the study suggests that there is a critical gap between the purpose behind the central act and the way state governments have implemented the act in their governed territories. The study finally reflects on certain mechanisms through which the acts can be made a holistic success. To achieve that success, it is imperative that the real purpose of giving greater autonomy to the Adivasis is realised and that realisation transcends into effective implementation of the Acts.
