J&K government to enforce Forest Rights Act

NEW DELHI: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is set to enforce the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The act was not applicable in the Union Territory for the last 14 years to protect the rights of forest dwellers. The Forest Rights Act maintains the granting of rights of forest lands to forest dwellers. According to an official spokesperson, the rights given under this act will be heritable but cannot be transferred.

This step has been taken to observe large-scale intrusion of huge forest land and its unlawful sale in J&K. The Act also includes the suggestion of the gram sabha that forest land up to one hectare will be allowed to be diverted to the development of government facilities like schools, hospitals, minor water bodies, rainwater harvesting structures, roads, etc. It also authorises the forest rights holders and gram sabha to protect wildlife, biodiversity, water resources and other sensitive ecological areas.