Kashmir: Forest Department conducts training on 'Implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006'

Resource persons of national repute including Jaya, Union Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and  A K Jha, Former Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute, Maharashtra with vast experience in implementation of FRA provided useful inputs to the participants on procedures and processes  involved in implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The training focused on duties of District level, Sub-Division level and Gram Sabha level committees as  per the act and rules made there under.

The implementation of the act involves recognition and vesting of forest rights in 'Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes' and 'Other Traditional Forest Dwellers' who have been residing in such forests for  generations but whose rights could not be recorded.

The act provides a framework for recording of rights so vested and the nature of evidence required for  such recognition and vesting in respect of forest land.

The framework for recording the rights involves procedures and processes is to be implemented through  the Gram Sabha, Sub-Divisional Level and the District Level Committees as per Section 4 of FRA, 2006.

The nature of evidence required are recorded in detail in the rules and also involves field verification by  the Forest Rights Committee comprising 10-15 members to be elected among its members by the Gram  Sabha.

The government has already sanctioned constitution of J&K-level monitoring committee headed by  Chief Secretary, district-level committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner, Sub Divisional-level  committee headed by the Sub Divisional Magistrate and comprising officers from Forest, Tribal Affairs  and Rural Development Department besides nonofficial members who are nominated by district  panchayat at the level of district and sub-divisional level.

Principal Chief Conservator Forests (HoFF) Mohit Gera gave a detailed account of status of  implementation of Forest Rights Act in J&K.

He said that some of the districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Budgam and Kupwara have received maximum  number of claims so far which are in different stages of verification.

The Forest department has also prepared an awareness video and pamphlets explaining various  provisions of FRA, 2006, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, ShahidIqbalChowdhary, Secretary Tribal Affairs department explained the FRA 2006 would bring change in the livelihood of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers and help building of community infrastructure by utilising the funds under CAPEX Plan as well as from Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.