Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked all states to ensure speedy implementation of the forest land rights Act, so that benefits of the “landmark” legislation reach tribals while preserving wildlife habitats.

The Prime Minister has written to chief ministers, asking them to set up at the earliest state-level, district-level and other committees required under the Scheduled Castes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, for its effective monitoring.

“This is a landmark legislation in independent India that seeks to provide rights over land in their occupation to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing there for generations but whose rights could not be recorded,” his letter says.

The act, which gives land rights to tribals, was notified on January 1, less than a month after being passed by Parliament.

Reminding the chief ministers that the responsibility of implementation vested with the states, he said it was necessary to ensure proper enforcement of the Act expeditiously, in keeping with rules provided under it.

“While implementing the Act, it should be ensured that adequate protection is provided to critical wildlife habitats as provided for in the Act,” the Prime Minister’s letter says.