Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 26: A local court today restrained an influential family for disallowing the villagers of Branwar district of Budgam from grazing their cattle on a big chunk of village common land and directed them not to interfere with respect to grazing their livestock on the land in question.
The Additional District Judge Budgam, Aijaz Ahmad Khan in a detailed order directed the opposite party not to interfere with the villagers of the area in regard to grazing of their livestock on the land in question.
The big chunk of pastureland in the area of Chanskani Naad in Doodh Ganga forest range in Pir Panjaal forest division Budgam has been allegedly controlled by an influential family of the area who were disallowing many families to graze their livestock especially sheep in the area.
Court while passing the direction said prima facie case for indulgence of the court is made out as the balance of convenience in favour of the applicants and the order prayed for if not granted will put the applicant to irreparable loss.
It is pertinent to mention Gujjar community of Branwar, Jabbad, Neegu villages in Budgam District were denied the grazing rights for their 1000 plus sheep in pastureland of Chaskani Naad pastureland which is located in Doodh Ganga forest range of Pir Panjal Forest Division in District Budgam .
The villagers allege that an Chowdhary family from Branwar Chadoora one of whose brothers is the Vice Chairman DDC Budgam have taken control over the hundreds of acres grassland in Chaskani Naad meadow for last many years and takes money as ransom from grazers especially from Bakerwal families of Rajouri and Poonch by allowing them to graze their animals in the said meadows.
It was contended that Bakerwals also should have the grazing rights on this massive area but they are made to pay money for it. Unfortunately the pastoralist Bakerwal community are not ready to even speak about this issue nor are they aware of their rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Advocate Badrul Dujja, welcomed the order of District Budgam. He urged upon the Deputy Commissioner Budgam and SDM Chadoora to intervene and start the process of giving grazing rights to the people of Branwar and adjoining villages under the Forest Rights Act.
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