Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Speedy implementation of Forest Right Act will prevent the potential eviction of a few lakh tribal Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis and Sippis, most of whom are forest dwellers and members of scheduled tribes, from their ancestral land located in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir.
This was stated today by noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi while addressing a series of awareness programmes about implementation of Forest Right Act (FRA) 2006 in Bajalta, Sara and Sidhra area of Jammu.
In his address, he said, “I have seen a new light and ray of hope in the eyes of nomadic tribes who were facing evection despite being tribe as the Forest Right Act 2006 was not extended to J&K till 5th of August 2019 -when Parliament of India it to J&K.
He said till 2019, in view of evocations, thousands of Gujjars, Bakerwals and Gaddis had loosed access to their habitat, livelihoods and spiritual culture which is strange. Some of them are now working as unskilled labourers.
While replying a query, he stated that those who are migratory tribes and groups should apply under both individual rights and community rights on routes, pastures, dhoks etc.
He said now tribal are not only entitled for ownership right on forests but they are eligible to cultivate, use minor forest produce except timber, access to water resources besides they will now have grazing rights on forest lands, as well.
He said that the Tribal Research & Cultural Foundation has formulated a programme to help tribes and nomadic groups especially Gujjars-Bakerwals to fill up their individual and community claims.
Tribal elders who were present include Freed Ahmed Podh, Haji Mirza Bokda, Jamat Ali Chowdhary, Mushtaq Inqlabi, Mehmood Riaz, Shams Din, Sarpanch Amjad Hussain, Manzoor Ahmed Chouhan, Amran Rashid and others.
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