SRINAGAR: A delegation of the National Alliance on Community Forest Resources and Minor Forest Produce (NACM) and the J&K Climate Action Group has urged Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone to intervene for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, in Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting limited awareness of the legislation among forest-dependent communities and officials, and called for the recognition of individual and community forest rights, along with entitlements relating to minor forest produce.
During the meeting, Lone expressed concern over the lack of awareness about the rights-based legislation and assured the delegation that he would take up the matter at the appropriate level to strengthen its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation briefed the MLA on the proceedings and key findings of a two-day national workshop on the Forest Rights Act organised by the J&K Climate Action Group in collaboration with NACM in Poonch. The workshop concluded on October 4 and brought together rights advocates, legal experts, environmentalists, civil society representatives and members of forest-dependent communities from several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
The memorandum drew attention to the need to improve awareness of the Act among Scheduled Tribe communities, including Gujjars and Bakerwals, as well as Other Traditional Forest Dwellers. The delegation also referred to forest-dependent groups such as Kashmiris, Chopans and non-Scheduled Tribe populations living near forests, including Dogri-speaking communities.
It stressed the importance of recognising Individual Forest Rights (IFR), Community Forest Rights (CFR) and rights associated with Minor Forest Produce (MFP). The delegation also highlighted what it described as inadequate awareness of the legislation among officials of the Tribal Affairs and Forest departments.
Lone assured the representatives of his support in raising the concerns of affected communities with the authorities concerned.
The delegation offered to share its expertise and field experience with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to strengthen implementation of the Act, improve community forest governance and expand livelihood opportunities linked to minor forest produce.
The delegation comprised Dileep Gode of Nagpur, Maharashtra; Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat of the J&K Climate Action Group; Sandeep Minhas of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh; Advocate Virender Kumar of Ranchi, Jharkhand; Kailash Babu of Kandhamal, Odisha; Dr Kishore Moge of Yavatmal, Maharashtra; Keshav Gurnoole of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra; Dr Chitaranjan of Kalahandi, Odisha; and Bharat Namdev of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
The delegation also invited Lone to visit tribal districts in Maharashtra to observe the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
The group had also met Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Tuesday to raise issues relating to the legislation.
