Khatana Raises Concern Over Slowdown in Forest Rights Act Implementation in J&K

New Delhi :While raising a supplementary question to Union Ministers in the Rajya Sabha, the Rajya Sabha MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana expressed serious concern over the slowdown in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 in Jammu & Kashmir.
In his question Khatana highlighted the significant progress made in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) following the abrogation of Article 370, which had previously provided long-awaited justice to tribal communities. However, he expressed concern over the recent slowdown in this progress, which has adversely affected tribal communities, forest dwellers, and nomadic groups reliant on forest land. He pointed out that the previous National Conference government, led by Omar Abdullah, had delayed FRA implementation, depriving these communities of essential protections for decades. Khatana underscored the importance of prioritizing the rights of tribal communities, asserting that these rights should not be compromised. While acknowledging the advancements made since 2019, he noted that administrative delays have hindered the processing of both individual and community claims. He commended the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for formally extending the FRA to Jammu and Kashmir, which has led to the recognition of thousands of forest rights titles and bolstered tribal welfare in the region. He called on the relevant ministries and the J&K administration to revitalize and expedite the implementation of the FRA, ensuring transparency in title processing and enhancing monitoring at the district level. Khatana emphasized the need for proactive outreach to guarantee that all eligible beneficiaries, particularly tribal communities, receive their rights without unnecessary delays. During the discussion, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, assured that efforts would be made to accelerate FRA implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. Khatana expressed gratitude for this commitment and reiterated that safeguarding tribal rights is crucial for achieving social justice, fostering inclusive development, and preserving the cultural identity of the region’s forest-dependent populations. He appealed for strong intervention from the Union Government to ensure the timely implementation of the Act and the protection of tribal communities.