SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Friday called for effective and transparent implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, to protect the rights and entitlements of tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers.
Addressing the 3rd Regional Review Conference on FRA implementation, organised by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in Srinagar, Rana said the legislation was aimed at recognising the legitimate rights of forest-dependent communities, protecting their livelihoods and promoting their socio-economic empowerment.
He stressed the need to strengthen implementation mechanisms and ensure that every eligible beneficiary received the rights guaranteed under the Act without procedural hurdles or lack of awareness.
Rana said the government, under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had designated the Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal department for FRA implementation in Jammu and Kashmir.
He called for greater coordination among the Tribal Affairs, Revenue, Forest and Rural Development departments and district administrations to ensure transparent disposal of claims and timely resolution of pending cases.
The minister said regional and national conferences should translate into practical improvements at the grassroots level, with their recommendations and outcomes made available to field-level officials.
Highlighting the contribution of Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, Rana said forest rights recognition and environmental protection were complementary responsibilities that needed to be pursued through a balanced, people-oriented approach.
The conference reviewed pending forest rights claims, recognition of individual and community forest rights, habitat rights, incorporation of recognised rights in revenue and forest records, digitisation of FRA records and the proposed National FRA Portal.
Representatives from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir shared their experiences and practices in implementing the Act.
The conference was attended by Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Joint Secretary Anant Prakash Pandey, senior ministry officials, representatives from participating states and Jammu and Kashmir government officers.
