SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides in implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which aims to recognise and formalise the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, the government said in Rajya Sabha.
According to the information provided in the Rajya Sabha by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, a total of 6,020 titles have been distributed across Jammu and Kashmir. These include 429 individual rights and 5,591 community rights, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the long-standing demands of forest-dwelling communities.
In the Jammu region, Rajouri district saw the highest number of rights distributed, with 2,852 titles, followed by Poonch with 1,902 titles. Other districts such as Udhampur, Kathua, and Ramban recorded smaller numbers, with 14, 42, and 10 titles respectively. Some districts, including Samba and Jammu, had no individual titles distributed but did see recognition of community rights. The Kashmir region’s distribution was led by Anantnag, where 325 titles were granted, while Shopian and Budgam accounted for 220 and 181 titles, respectively. Srinagar district recorded no distribution of titles, reflecting varying levels of implementation across the region.
The erstwhile state has also undertaken extensive plantation activities under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) over the past five years. These efforts have involved an expenditure of Rs 679.58 crore, treating over 508 square kilometres of forest land. Species such as Deodar, Kail, Fir, Bamboo, and Alnus were planted to restore and enhance forest cover. The year-wise expenditure and area treated reflect a consistent commitment to afforestation, with Rs 177.43 crore spent during 2022-23, the highest in the five years.
The government said a total expenditure of Rs 679.58 crore was incurred, treating 508.54 square kilometres in five years. It included Rs 113.51 crore expenditure in 2019-20 involving treatment of 66.36 sq. km; Rs 112.61 crore; 124.74 sq. km treated in 2020-21; Rs 127.74 crore; 94.95 sq. km treated in 2021-22; Rs 177.43 crore; 123.49 sq. km treated in 2022-23 and Rs 148.29 crore; 99.00 sq. km treated in 2023-24.
Besides, to recognising rights and conducting plantation drives, the government has also focused on forest protection and employment generation for forest-dwelling communities. A dedicated Forest Protection Force, comprising trained personnel, has been established to safeguard the region’s forests. Regular forest protection drives are conducted within the constraints of the available budget. Employment opportunities have been created for forest dwellers and tribal communities through various initiatives. These include concessions under the Forest Rights Act, recognition of individual and community rights, and avenues for collecting Non-Timber Forest Produce. Self-Help Groups and Biodiversity Management Committees have been instrumental in these efforts, providing a sustainable livelihood for many.
The comprehensive implementation of the Forest Rights Act and related initiatives reflects the government’s efforts to balance environmental conservation with the socio-economic development of forest-dependent communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
