Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 8: “The Forest Rights Act 2006 which was extended to J&K in 2019 will not only safeguard the age old pastoral culture of Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis and Sippis but also undo the historical injustice and marginalization of tribes which they were facing since centuries”.
This was stated by noted tribal Researcher Dr Javaid Rahi during a daylong workshop held to aware STs about new tribal rights. The event was organized by the Gram Sabha /Forest Rights Committee at Panchayat Ghar Jagti, Nagrota, Jammu and was presided over by Chowdhary Javaid Mohammad FRC Chairman.
He said prior to 2019 , the J&K Tribes were vulnerable to forced eviction at any point, but after the implementation of Forest Rights Act of 2006 , they are now feeling safe. The J&K Government is keen to recognize both individual and community land claims and has now mandated a uniform process for granting legal title.
He said that there are nearly 1.5 million tribal and other traditional forest dwellers in Jammu and Kashmir who are dependent on forests and derive their livelihoods mainly from forest resources. Till 2019, they were treated as encroachers of the land on which they live since centuries but now a law is there to protect them, he added.
“After proper implementation, Forest Right Act 2006 in J&K will change the fate of tribes and they shall hold their heads high,” Javaid Rahi said and added that the new laws including FRA -2006, SC/ST Atrocities Act 1989, Political Reservation to STs, Conservation Act 1980, Amendments in Panchayati Raj Act will pull out the Tribes from marginalization and social exclusions.
During the programme, a demonstration was given to tribal communities about different tribal rights. Other who spoke on the occasion, included Panchayat Raj Institution representatives, Zeenat Bibi, Parvez Khan, Farooq Bokda, Abdul Rouf Bokda, Qasam Bokda, Bashir Ahmed Tass Jagti.
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