This new committee will further examine of two issues of primary importance of settlement of rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, particularly the specific impact on the livelihood, culture and material welfare of the Dongaria Kondhs, a notified Primitive Tribal Group and impact on the Wildlife and Biodiversity in the surrounding areas. The Committee will be headed Dr N C Saxena, IAS(Retd),NAC and other Members are Dr S Parasuraman, Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Dr Promode Kant, IFS(Retd) and Dr Amita Baviskar, Associate Professor, Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi.

The committee will undertake field visits, review all previous reports in relation to the application as mentioned hereinbefore for diversion of forest land for the purpose of mining of bauxite in the Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts in Orissa and undertake analysis. It will submit its findings to the Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests within a period of 30 calendar days from the date of its constitution.

Earlier a 3 member Committee constituted by the ministry submitted its Report based on the site inspections conducted by them in the months of January 2010 and February, 2010. The need was felt for further examination of these issues of primary importance.