JAMMU, July 31: In a significant move aimed at ensuring the timely implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all Deputy Commissioners across the Union Territory to expedite the verification and settlement of pending forest rights claims and submit compliance certificates upon completion of the process.
According to a circular issued by the Tribal Affairs Department, the Government has instructed district administrations to ensure that all claims filed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, are processed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the prescribed legal framework.
The circular reiterates that the Gram Sabha, or the Ward Committee in urban areas, is the competent authority to initiate, scrutinize and verify claims before forwarding them to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) and subsequently to the District Level Committee (DLC) for final approval.
The Government has also reminded all concerned authorities that no forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribe or other traditional forest dweller can be evicted or removed from forest land under their occupation until the entire process of recognition and verification of rights is completed, as mandated under the Forest Rights Act.
Deputy Commissioners have been directed to closely monitor the process and ensure that the settlement of claims is completed at the earliest. After completion of the exercise, they have been asked to submit compliance certificates to the Government confirming adherence to the directions issued by the Tribal Affairs Department.
The move is expected to strengthen the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir by safeguarding the legal rights of eligible forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers while ensuring that all claims are processed through the statutory three-tier mechanism in a transparent and time-bound manner.(KNC)
