J&K Boosts Forest Rights Amid Tribal Eviction Concerns

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has rolled out new guidelines to streamline forest rights claims, a move that comes as Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad highlights historical protections for tribal communities before the 2019 constitutional changes. Ahmad stated that the central Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 wasn't applicable in J&K before August 5, 2019, yet traditional communities like the Gujjars and Bakarwals were safeguarded against systematic harassment and evictions during that period. These fresh directives are a response to ongoing discussions and concerns about land and forest rights, particularly for vulnerable nomadic families in the region. This renewed focus on the FRA implementation follows years of challenges since the act became fully applicable in J&K on October 31, 2019, after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. J&K Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, holding the Forest, Ecology, Environment, and Tribal Affairs portfolios, recently declared the Tribal Affairs department as the key agency for FRA implementation and warned against evictions without proper procedures. Reports suggest that despite these steps, many claims have been rejected, and there's an ongoing tension where older laws like the Indian Forest Act, 1927, are still being used in ways that conflict with the spirit of the FRA, leading to evictions. Looking ahead, the administration aims for fair and transparent processing of forest rights claims, with Minister Rana directing a thorough review of all rejected cases. The new guidelines emphasize strict compliance with both the FRA and the Indian Forest Act, 1927, while stressing that no eligible forest dweller should be deprived of their legitimate rights. This means local Gram Sabha, Sub-Divisional, and District Level Committee are now under pressure to expedite and carefully verify claims, ensuring that the long-standing relationship between traditional forest dwellers and the ecosystem is recognized and protected without unnecessary hardship.