Workshop on Forest Rights Act held at Panchayat Lower Malad

UDHAMPUR: A one day workshop on the Forest Rights Act- 2006 was organized today at ST Basti, Balungar Bain Panchayat Lower Malad and Block Udhampur.  The workshop was attended by the Member of Legislative Assembly Udhampur East Constituency, R. S. Pathania, DDC Udhampur- 1 Puran Chand, former PRI members, district officers of line departments and other prominent citizens, besides resource persons from the Rural Development, Forest and Revenue departments.

The officers and resource persons delivered detailed presentations highlighting key provisions, procedures and best practices envisaged under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, with special focus on its effective implementation at the grassroots level.

Addressing the gathering, the MLA threw light on the historical background of the Forest Rights Act-2006 and its salient features. He also interacted with members of the tribal community and sensitised them about various rights and entitlements under the Act. He explained the role of different institutions, including the forest rights committees and outlined the procedure involved in the processing of claims under the FRA.

Highlighting the transformative potential of the Act, Pathania stated that the Forest Rights Act, 2006 would bring positive changes in the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities and contribute to the development of community infrastructure. He further informed that, apart from the right to live on and hold forest land, the Act provides ownership rights over minor forest produce traditionally collected by forest-dwelling communities.

The MLA stressed the need for sustained awareness campaigns and called for the liberal distribution of awareness material among stakeholders and participants to ensure wider understanding and effective implementation of the forest rights Act at the ground level.