Jammu, Dec 12: The Forest Department organized a training workshop for implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 for the Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers under the chairmanship of Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma.
During the workshop, the spokespersons interacted with the tribal groups and various stakeholders including the FRC Chairman and members, PRI members and officials of the Revenue, Forest and Tribal Affairs department. The training focused on duties including roles and functions of district level, sub-division level and Gram Sabha level Forest Rights Committees as per the Act and rules. The implementation of the Act involves recognition and vesting of the forest rights on Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers who have been residing in forests for generations but whose rights could not be recognized.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Verma spoke in detail on the history of FRA 2006, and key provisions of the Act besides discussing in detail the context of its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. He gave a brief background of individual and community rights. The FDSTs who were residing prior to 13 December 2005 and OTFDs who were living for three generations prior to 13 December 2005 alone are eligible.
Secretary Tribal Affairs Department Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary explained that the FRA 2006 will bring change in the livelihood of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers and help the building of community infrastructure by utilizing the funds under CAPEX- Plan as well as from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI. He said the Act apart from recognizing the rights also gives various kinds of duties to holders of forest rights to protect the wildlife, forest and biodiversity of the area.
PCCF (HoFF,) J&K Forest Department, Dr. Mohit Gera said that to streamline the resource use of Forest dependent communities, “Van Dhan Yojana” has been rolled out by the J&K government through the department of Tribal Affairs for inclusive development of Forest dependent tribal communities. He called for raising awareness besides liberal distribution of awareness material among the stakeholders/participants.
A short film on Forest Rights Act, 2006 prepared by Forest Department was also screened during the training workshop. Dr Javaid Rahi, Tribal Researcher and Social Reformer while speaking in the workshop made aware the participants of the role of various institutions like FRC, SDLC & DLC in the implementation of the Act along with various procedures for forest rights.
