Shadow Correspondent
Kishtwar, Jan, 07
In order to sensitize the Block Development Council Chairpersons and the newly elected District Development Council members about the implimentation of the Forest Right Act 2006 in the district, District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma today conducted the sensitization programme here at his office chamber DC office Complex Mini Secretariat Kishtwar.
The programme was attended by Division Forest Officer Marwah Vijay Kumar, BDO Mughal Maidan Arun Badyal, BDO Nagseni Abhay Indu Sharma, BDO Drabshalla Sobia Fatima Shad, BDO Dachhan Abrar Ahmed, BDO Warwan Dr. Adnan Tariq besides all the BDC chairpersons and the DDC members among others.
The programme on “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” was organized to prepare and sesitize the PRIs members for implementation of Forest Rights Act in the district.
DDC briefed in detail on Plan of Action and road map for implementation of Forest Rights Act in the district. He elaborately explained the procedures to be followed in time bound manner as per the Forest Rights Act/Rules at the level of Gram Sabha, Sub Divisional level and District level Committees to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation of forest land among the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.
ACD Kishtwar has been directed to conduct the Gram Sabha’s across the district by or before 8th January 2021 for formulation of Forest Rights Committee (FRC), besides urged the DDC members and BDC’s to participate in the Gram Sabha’s in their respective areas.
It was informed that the Committee shall have not less than ten and not exceeding fifteen persons with members from scheduled tribes & not less than one third women members.
He emphasized the need to work with patience, passion and preparation for successful implementation of the Act.
The role of Gram Sabha in protection of Wildlife, Forest and Biodiversity was also highlighted in the programme.
DFO Marwah also discussed typology and kinds of rights, particularly right to hold and live in forest land, community rights and right to ownership, access to collect, use and disposal of minor forest produce.
The role of forest officers in convergence of Government schemes for welfare of forest dwellers was also highlighted wherein forest department shall support Gram Sabha to prepare and execute its own conservation and management plan.
DDC concluded by saying that the spirit of the Forest Rights Act is to maintain ecological balance while ensuring livelihoods and food security to scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
