5 cases okayed under Forest Rights Act

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 3

Today was a red-letter day for tribals of Kinnaur as five cases were approved under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 after a long gap. The cases were sanctioned at the meeting of the district-level committee headed by Deputy Commissioner (Kinnaur) constituted under the FRA.

Over a period of time the tribals were not getting the benefits under the FRA. Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq today accepted the long-pending demand of tribals for restoring the rights by sanctioning five individual cases in Malling village under Pooh subdivision of Kinnaur district. Seven cases were taken up but two cases pertained to community rights.

How will it benefit forest communities

• The Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognises the rights of forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities are dependent for a variety of needs.
• It also provides rights to allocation of forestland for development purposes to fulfil basic infrastructural needs of the community.
• A scheme has been prepared to create awareness among tribals about their rights under the FRA

The panchayat pradhans have been urged to get all the formalities and claims completed by the sub-divisional Forest Rights Committees and send the same to district FRA committee for further action, he said adding that a scheme has also been prepared to create awareness among tribals about their rights under FRA.

The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs.

The Act also recognises the symbiotic relationship of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) with the forests, reflected in their dependence on the forest as well as in their traditional wisdom regarding conservation of the forests. It also provides rights to allocation of forest land for developmental purposes to fulfill basic infrastructural needs of the community.

Under the provisions of the Act, Gram Sabha and rights holders are held responsible for conservation and protection of bio-diversity, wildlife, forests, adjoining catchment areas, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas as well as to stop any destructive practices affecting these resources or cultural and natural heritage of the tribals.