Srinagar, Dec 23: In a pivotal meeting today, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo urged district administrations to swiftly address pending claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, filed by forest dwellers. He emphasiSed resolving these claims on merit within a one-month timeframe.
The meeting, attended by Principal Secretary of Forests, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Secretary Revenue, Deputy Commissioners, and other stakeholders, aimed to assess the progress in verifying and granting rights to eligible individuals as per the Act.
Chief Secretary Dulloo underscored the Act’s goal of empowering tribal forest-dwelling communities, historically inhabiting these lands without legal rights. He directed Deputy Commissioners to certify the verification and settlement of all claims within the stipulated one-month period, emphasizing adherence to the Act’s provisions.
Principal Secretary of Forests, Dheeraj Gupta, highlighted the Act’s focus on recognizing and vesting the rights of occupation on forest lands for Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). The Act provides for Individual Forest Rights (IFRs), such as the right to live or cultivate forest land, and Community Forest Rights (CFRs), including grazing, fishing access, and other communal rights.
Gupta revealed that 5701 titles have been issued to date, with 45282 cases processed across UT districts, leaving 471 cases pending at different levels. He assured that these pending claims would be settled on merit after necessary verifications in Gram Sabhas and SDLC/DLCs, positioning the UT among the forefront states/UTs in effectively implementing the Act.
