SUNDERBANI: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today arrived in Sunderbani/Kalakote beginning his week-long tour of Pir Panjal region.
At Sunderbani, the Minister interacted with the officers of the Jal Shakti Department and enquired about the status of the water supply to the people of the said area. He directed the officers to ensure that adequate and safe drinking water was supplied to the people.
Rana also enquired about claims settlement under FRA in the area, stating that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) give forest-dwelling communities the right to live in and protect their forests and to use forest resources for their livelihood and culture. It also gives them a stake in the sustainable management of forest resources, he added.
Rana elaborated that FRA helps to reduce poverty and inequality among forest-dwelling communities by improving their access to land and resources. The main aim is to end injustice and protect forest dwellers from unlawful evictions and displacement, he asserted
The Minister laid emphasis on Title rights, Use rights, Relief and Development rights, and Forest management rights.
