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Forest Right Act will boost cultural practices of tribes, forest dwellers: Javaid Rahi

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 3/1/2021 11:37:10 AM

Y B News Jammu, Feb 28 The Forest Rights Act - 2006 recently extended to Jammu and Kashmir will not only boost the cultural practices of Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers but would transform the lives of lakhs of people of nomadic tribes who lives in forests of Jammu and Kashmir since centuries , said tribal researcher Dr. Javaid Rahi while interacting with tribal groups in various in various . During the awareness programmes the tribes especially held to guide Gujjars- Bakerwal he informed about the essence of FRA which upholds ultimately upholds the old cultural practices of tribal groups related with forests. During the programme demonstrations were given to tribes to file claims (both individual and Community claims ) on Forest land which they inherit since centuries. In his presidential address Dr. Javaid Rahi stated that rights conferred under this FRA to tribal and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers shall be "heritable but not alienable or transferable". “Tribal shall have no right to sell out or sublet any such land to anyone within or outside the tribe , after getting rights under Forest Rights Act, Dr Rahi informedtribal groups. He said FRA implementation will not only end harassments of tribes but provide a sense of confidence and responsibility among them. He impressed upon the tribal elders, in the meeting , that they should be ready with at least two proofs of their possession on Forest land dating back 2005, when FRA was implemented in other states of India. He said the other eligibility is that their livelihood must be dependent on forest only. While replying a query, he stated that those who are migratory tribes / groups should apply under both individual rights / community rights on 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 hoped that FRA will be implemented rapidly in the UT as the same was extended to J&K after 14years of its implementation across India.