Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: The newly implemented Forest Rights Act, Conservation Act 1980, SC/ST Act 1989, Delimitation (Amendments) Act and Panchayat Raj Act in J&K will by and large give a sense of pride to tribes.
This was stated by noted researcher Dr Javaid Rahi while addressing a number of awareness meetings of tribals and forest dwellers drawn from Kishtwar and Doda districts. He said as three Scheduled Tribe Gujjars will head districts like Rajouri, Poonch and Anantnag as chairpersons of District Development Councils, tribal groups have been asked to understand the real essence of newly implemented laws in the UT as these predominantly empowers tribal and weaker sections of society.
Rahi said that there are nearly one million tribal and other traditional forest dwellers in J&K who derive their livelihoods mainly from forest resources and till few days back they were treated as encroachers of the land on which they live since centuries. He said after proper implementation Forest Right Act 2006 in J&K the fate of tribes will be changed forever and they shall hold their head high.
However, he expressed apprehensions that low literacy, habitation in difficult areas and Lack of awareness about procedures in Gujjars, Bakerwal may potentially hit affective time bound implementation of much desired Forest Right Act in J&K. He stressed upon tribal dignitaries, media houses, tribal youth leaders, NGOs and social media influencers to help people to know their rights. He said awareness about new laws can empower tribes and other weaker sections of J&K.
He said due to new laws 38 persons from Gujjar community have been elected to first-ever District Development Council elections in J&K.
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