Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Feb 3: Maintaining that bridging of gaps between the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir and the Tribal population over speedy implementation of Forest Rights Act in the Union Territory is imperative, noted Tribal researcher Dr Javed Rahi said that there is a major role of NGOs, volunteers, elders among tribes to work forward in this direction.
While addressing awareness programme at Dharmai in Reasi district in presence of Ch Aijaz Ahmed Khan former minister, Ch Khaliq Bakerwal, Gojri writer Kalsoom Chowdhary, Ch Talib Hussain of Arnas, BDC Chairman Mohd Kahan Chowdhary and Talib Chowdhary, Rahi stated that there are number of challenges in the implementation of Forest Rights Act as a big percentage of nomadic tribes such as Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis, Sippis are illiterate. They lack evidences to be produced to justify the claims on forest lands.
He said the individual claims are lesser but a large population of tribal Gujjars, Bakerwals , Gaddis and Sippis are going to be benefited under community rights of FRA.
He also informed that awareness programmes are impretive to guide Tribal and other Forest dewellers. He said we are working on three way interventions includes awareness programmes in the field, awareness through Social media and free calls /assistance for Gujjars/ Bakerwals and other tribes.
Rahi said 10 Facebook pages having more than 10 lakh followers collectively are regularly working on this topic includes, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation page, Sari Mastana Tribal Foundation Gojri Mahri Zuban, International Gojri Zaban , Gojri Zaban, Sada -e -Gujjars, Gojri Apni Zaban, Gojri FM and others.
Rahi said he personally attend dozens of calls daily on FRA issues and we are bridging the gap between Govt, tribal and non-tribal communities over the implementation issues.
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