Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today held a detailed interaction with social activists and representatives of forest-dwelling communities from different parts of the Valley and discussed issues relating to forest rights, conservation, environmental protection and development of forest-fringe areas.
The interaction was held at Banquet Hall, M.A. Road here and was attended by senior officers of the Tribal Affairs, Forest, Jal Shakti and Irrigation & Flood Control Departments.
During the interaction, the participants projected a range of issues being faced by forest dwellers in different areas and sought effective measures for their redressal. The activists also deliberated upon matters relating to forest conservation and increasing environmental degradation and called for long-term and sustainable interventions to protect the fragile forest ecosystem.
The participants suggested strengthening of the FRA implementation mechanism through constitution of appropriate committees, stakeholder awareness programmes, capacity building of field officials and designation of a nodal department at the district level.
Taking serious note of the suggestions, the Minister directed the Director, Tribal Affairs, to initiate the process for constitution of the requisite committees and organize a UT-level workshop on the Forest Rights Act, to be followed by similar programmes at the Divisional, District and grassroots levels.
The Minister also directed that the cases rejected under the Forest Rights Act shall be reviewed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules framed thereunder, so that no eligible forest dweller is deprived of his legitimate rights.
The delegations further brought to the notice of the Minister various area-specific developmental issues, particularly relating to infrastructure and access to basic services like education and healthcare, and sought necessary interventions for improving public infrastructure and essential services in the areas inhabited by forest-dwelling communities.
Emphasising the need for a balanced and participatory approach, Javed Rana directed the concerned forest officials to remain well versed with the provisions of the Forest Rights Act and to ensure that the claims of eligible forest dwellers are dealt with strictly in accordance with law.
The Minister said that the rights of traditional forest dwellers would be protected at every cost, while underlining that rights also come with a responsibility towards protection and preservation of forests.
“Forest dwellers have a legitimate stake in the forests and their rights must be protected. At the same time, forests are our lifeline and their protection and preservation is a shared responsibility. We have to ensure that the rights of forest-dwelling communities and the larger objective of forest conservation move together,” Rana said.
He stressed the need for greater awareness among field-level forest officials about the Forest Rights Act and called for a sensitive, transparent and legally compliant approach while dealing with the concerns of forest-dwelling communities.
Rana also underscored the importance of adopting long-term measures for tackling environmental degradation and protecting the forest ecosystem. He said conservation efforts should be strengthened through sustained interventions, while taking into account the legitimate concerns and livelihood needs of the communities dependent on forest resources.
The Minister assured the participants that the issues raised during the interaction would be examined by the concerned departments and necessary measures taken within the applicable legal and administrative framework.
Director Tribal Affairs and Conservator of Forests, Srinagar, briefed the social activists and representatives of forest-dwelling communities about the procedures and mechanisms prescribed for implementation of the Forest Rights Act. They also apprised the participants of the steps being taken by the departments to facilitate the process and assured them of all possible support and assistance in addressing their concerns and ensuring smooth implementation of the Act.
The participating social activists appreciated the initiative taken by the Omar Abdullah-led Government towards effective operationalisation of the Forest Rights Act in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. They stressed the need for a coordinated, transparent and time-bound mechanism to ensure effective and uniform implementation of the Act across the UT.
They also thanked the Minister for the circulars issued by the Tribal Affairs and Forest Departments aimed at protecting the rights of forest-dwelling communities, stating that these measures would go a long way in ensuring effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act and safeguarding the legitimate rights of forest dwellers.
The interaction was attended by Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Chairman, J&K Forest Rights Coalition, Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, Convener JKFRC and President J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Youth Welfare Conference, several Ex DDCs and many activists and representatives of various organisations.