FRA implementation rekindles new hope among tribes : Javaid Rahi
Jammu, January 24, 2021 : Speedy implementation of Forest Rights Act-2006 in Jammu and Kashmir has rekindles new hopes among the tribal groups such as Gujjars , Bakerwals, Gaddis , Sippis and other Forest Dwellers who live in Jungals but were facing evictions in past in various areas in view as no law was there prior to August 2019 to protect habitation and use of forest land by tribes. . This was stated by Dr. Javaid Rahi –noted tribal researcher during 3 day awareness programmes held at different locations of Rajouri District which concluded today.
The FRA awareness workshops were held in Village Rehan, Peeri, Koteranka , Lamberi, besides a few villages of Kalakote and Nowshera.
Different tribal dignitaries presided over the programmes at various localities including Javed Iqbal Chowdhary BDC Chairman , tribal leaders Gul Mohammad Chowdhary, Shokat Naseem, Ibrahim Khatana, Aziz Sarpanch while a large number of Tribal elders, youth , forest dewellers attended the programme organized to aware people about their rights and responsibilities with regard to Forest Land
Dr. Javaid Rahi in his address stated that the Forest Right Act is not only provides provisions to protect the land rights of tribal but it provides safeguard to their inheritance , preserve their unique cultures, intellectual properties and traditional knowledge. It further boosts their socio-cultural life, economic activities and other indigenouse characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live, he said.
During various workshops , Dr. Rahi tranied youth, tribal and forest dwellers to understand the rights granted to suppressed classes by the Union Govt of India.
He said that as per Act , the Gram Sabha (Village inhibatate) is most powerful body in respect of the management of community forest rights (CFR) and to grant habitat rights to tribals and other forest dwellers as the villagers know better about the graziers, minor forest produce collectors, women and other groups dependent on forest including hamlets.
