Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 24: Chairman Block Development Council (BDC) Koteranka, Choudhary Javed Iqbal has appealed to J&K government to take immediate measures for addressing concerns of traditionally forest dwelling population.
In separate letters to Principal Secretary Revenue, Shaleen Kabra; Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sarita Chauhan and Director Tribal Affairs, Rehana Batul, Iqbal raised the concerns of tribal communities traditionally dwelling on forests and requested for immediate extension of Forests Rights Act.
He said that a vast majority of the area he represents is populated by the Gujjar tribal community which has lived in and around the forests for centuries.
Choudhary and his wife Shazia Kausar have recently contested DDC election from two Territorial Constituencies spread over 42 Panchayats in Rajouri district.
“During our campaign of the area we came across one central issue that revolves around dwelling in and around forest areas,” he said in a memorandum to the concerned officers.
“In view of sweeping changes in several land related laws in recent months, we have found people deeply worried about their dwelling status,” the BDC Chairman claimed.
He said, in absence of clear law regulating dwelling in the forest areas, people suffer random harassment and intimidation at the hands local authorities.
“I am therefore writing this to invite your attention towards this crucial issue affecting survival and dignity of lakhs of people,” he mentioned in the letter.
As a consequence of the recent constitutional changes, Javed said the extension of the Forests Rights Act to J&K is the urgent need to bring this massive public anxiety to an end.
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