SRINAGAR: The Gram Sabha of Waniyarn-Wangath in Kangan, Ganderbal district, has approved 270 of the 272 Individual Forest Rights claims placed before it, with the cases now set to be forwarded to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) for further examination under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
The Forest Rights Coalition, Jammu and Kashmir (FRC-J&K), welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step towards recognising the legal rights of forest-dependent communities. Two claims could not be approved due to deficiencies in documentation, the Coalition said in a press statement.
The Gram Sabha meeting was held on October 24 and was attended by villagers, women, members of the Village Forest Rights Committee, former Panchayat representatives and officials from the Tribal Welfare, Rural Development, Revenue, Forest, Wildlife Protection and Agriculture departments.
FRC-J&K said the outcome followed months of community mobilisation, awareness meetings and assistance to claimants in preparing the necessary documents. The Coalition had earlier organised an awareness meeting at Waniyarn Eidgah to explain the provisions of the Act and the procedure for submitting claims.
Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, founder of FRC-J&K, congratulated the villagers and the Coalition’s Ganderbal team, stressing that the legislation should be implemented in its true spirit and that eligible communities should not face discrimination or unnecessary administrative hurdles.
He said the recognition of forest rights and forest conservation must go hand in hand, adding that communities dependent on forests should be treated as partners in conservation rather than excluded from the process.
Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, convenor of FRC-J&K, also welcomed the decision but expressed concern over delays in processing claims and alleged harassment of forest dwellers and pastoral communities. He called for investigations into alleged violations and accountability wherever wrongdoing is established.
The Coalition said thousands of Individual Forest Rights claims and more than 32 Community Forest Rights claims remained pending before the concerned Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees. It urged the administration to convene regular meetings, set clear timelines for decisions and ensure transparent processing of applications.
Tahir Mohiuddin, District Tribal Welfare Officer, Ganderbal, appreciated the Coalition’s efforts to mobilise communities and assist claimants. He assured the gathering that the Tribal Welfare Department would extend all possible assistance at the district level, according to the statement.
The meeting was attended by FRC-J&K representatives and officials from the concerned departments. Shareef Khan, chairperson of the Waniyarn Forest Rights Committee, welcomed participants, while Bashir Ahmed Tedwa, the Coalition’s in-charge for Central Kashmir, presented the claim files for consideration. Chowdhury Sajad Kasana explained the process and introduced the claims and participants.
FRC-J&K said it would continue supporting eligible claimants and pursuing the timely recognition of individual and community forest rights under the law.
