Consider the following statements: 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006. 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights. 3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Let's examine each statement regarding Critical Wildlife Habitat and Habitat Rights: 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This statement is correct. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), defines "Critical Wildlife Habitat" (CWH) as areas of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are required to be kept inviolate for the purpose of wildlife conservation, as determined by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights. This statement is correct. The Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Chhattisgarh was indeed the first community in India to receive Habitat Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This landmark recognition, granted in 2016 for their traditional forest habitat in the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, aimed to protect their traditional way of life and ensure their role in conservation. 3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India. This statement is incorrect. While the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is involved in determining Critical Wildlife Habitats, the process of recognizing and conferring Habitat Rights (or any other rights under FRA) lies primarily with the **Gram Sabhas** (village assemblies) at the local level. These rights are then verified and approved by Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees, involving local administration and tribal affairs departments. The **Ministry of Tribal Affairs** is the nodal ministry for the Forest Rights Act. MoEFCC does not directly declare Habitat Rights; its role is more related to identifying CWHs within protected areas. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.