SRINAGAR: A large public consultation on forest rights held at Kangan in Ganderbal district on Thursday unanimously adopted the “Kangan Declaration”, calling for the immediate, transparent and effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 across Jammu and Kashmir.
The consultation, organised by the Forest Rights Coalition Jammu and Kashmir (FRC-J and K), brought together tribal community members, forest dwellers, civil society representatives, youth leaders, former Panchayat representatives, environmental activists and grassroots stakeholders from different parts of Central Kashmir.
Participants discussed the status of implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir, challenges faced by forest-dependent communities and the need to strengthen grassroots institutions, particularly Gram Sabhas.
The meeting was attended by Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder and Chairman of FRC-J and K, Convenor Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, community leaders Ikram Bajran, Bashir Ahmad Terwah, Advocate Sajad Kasana, former BDC Chairman Kangan Yousuf Poswal, Atta Mohammad, Mohammad Younis, Shahida Parveen and several other social and community leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Rasool described the Forest Rights Act as a landmark social justice and environmental governance legislation aimed at addressing historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling communities.
He said that despite the extension of the Act to Jammu and Kashmir, its implementation remained slow and fragmented. He stressed that conservation efforts and community rights should move together, adding that forests are best protected when local communities are empowered as custodians.
Dr Rasool also underscored the importance of Gram Sabhas in the implementation process, stating that community institutions must be empowered to identify, protect, conserve and manage traditional forest resources.
Referring to the environmental challenges facing the Himalayan region, he said stronger community forest governance could contribute to biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, disaster risk reduction, carbon sequestration and sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking on the occasion, FRC-J&K Convenor Zahid Parwaz Choudhary expressed concern over delays in implementing the Act and called for greater accountability among implementing agencies.
He said the Forest Rights Act was a legally binding legislation and that delays in implementation continued to deny justice to forest-dependent families awaiting recognition of their rights.
Choudhary also stressed the need for awareness campaigns and institutional preparedness, urging government departments to facilitate implementation, conduct outreach programmes and ensure transparent processing of claims.
During the consultation, participants from different villages shared experiences relating to forest rights claims and highlighted difficulties in accessing information and institutional support. Several speakers said that despite the legal framework being in place, communities continued to face barriers in securing recognition of their rights.
Former BDC Chairman Yousuf Poswal and other community leaders reiterated the need for faster implementation of the Act and greater public participation in forest governance.
Following deliberations, the gathering unanimously adopted the Kangan Declaration, which is proposed to be submitted to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministers for Tribal Affairs, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Jal Shakti, as well as the MLA Kangan and Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal.
The declaration places three key demands before the government. It seeks full autonomy and decision-making authority for Gram Sabhas as envisaged under the Forest Rights Act, establishment of accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with FRA provisions and expedited implementation, and inclusion of experts and representatives from the Forest Rights Coalition and community organisations in advisory and monitoring bodies.
The consultation concluded with a pledge to strengthen grassroots awareness campaigns, support community-led conservation initiatives and continue democratic advocacy for the implementation of forest rights across Jammu and Kashmir.
Participants maintained that forests sustain livelihoods, cultures, biodiversity and climate resilience, and said conservation efforts would be more effective when communities are recognised as partners in forest governance.
The Forest Rights Coalition J&K reiterated its commitment to working with communities, civil society groups, researchers, policymakers and government institutions to ensure implementation of the Forest Rights Act among eligible forest-dwelling families and communities across the Union Territory.
