FOREST RIGHTS

The people living in the vicinity of the forests across Jammu and Kashmir will be able to get the rights in accordance with the Forest Rights Act , 2006. In this connection J & K administration has directed the forest department to organize workshops so that enough knowledge is spread about the rights and responsibilities . In this direction recently Forest Rights Act , 2006 , Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers under the chairmanship of Commissioner Secretary Forest , Ecology and Environment . During the workshop , spokespersons interacted with the Tribal groups and various stakeholders including FRC Chairman and members , PRI members and officials of Revenue , Forest and Tribal Affairs department . The training focused on duties including roles and functions of district level , sub – division level and Gram Sabha level Forest Rights Committees as per the Act and rules made thereunder . The implementation of the Act involves recognition and vesting of the forest rights on Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers who have been residing in forests for generations but whose rights could not be recognized . The Act provides a framework for recognition and recording of rights so vested and the nature of evidence required for such recognition and vesting in respect of forest land . The framework for recording the rights involves procedures and processes to be implemented through the Gram Sabha , sub – divisional level and the district level committees as per Section 4 of FRA , 2006 and Rule 11 and 12 of FRA Rules , 2008 .