Forest dwellers await justice as FRA claims remain stalled
With thousands of claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 pending for years, forest dwellers in Chamba district are urging the state government to expedite the resolution process and grant rightful access to forest resources.
The Chamba Van Adhikar Manch, a forum advocating for the FRA’s implementation in the district, highlighted the prolonged delay in addressing claims. In Bhandal panchayat of the remote Salooni block, 102 individual claims and three community claims have been unresolved since 2020. Despite being flagged for corrections, which were duly addressed and resubmitted through the panchayat secretary, the claims remain stalled.
“This situation is not limited to Bhandal panchayat. Across Chamba, thousands of claims are likely stuck at Sub-Divisional and District Level Committees,” said Manoj Kumar, convener of the forum. He pointed out that over 150 claims in Palyur panchayat remain unresolved, reflecting the district-wide scale of the issue. Kumar attributed the delays to administrative inefficiency, citing a lack of understanding and misinterpretation of the FRA by field officers and district officials.
The Gujjar pastoralist community, reliant on high-altitude grazing lands, has been particularly affected. Zakir Hussain, president of the Jalari Forest Rights Committee, expressed frustration over frequent harassment by authorities due to unresolved claims. “Every political party makes promises, but nothing changes on the ground,” he remarked, criticising the absence of officials at public hearings meant for verifying claims.
Similar concerns were voiced by Azad Hussain, president of the Sanghni Forest Rights Committee. He emphasized that the verification process at the gram sabha level is often hindered by the lack of cooperation from revenue and forest officials, further delaying justice.
On Tuesday, a delegation of forest dwellers met Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi in Chamba, submitting a memorandum demanding immediate administrative action to clear the backlog. The memorandum pointed out widespread confusion about FRA provisions among committee members at both district and sub-divisional levels. It also called for training programs and awareness campaigns to educate officials and the public on the law.
Enacted in 2006, the FRA aims to recognise the traditional rights of Scheduled Tribes and other forest-dependent communities. However, its implementation in Chamba has faced significant hurdles, leaving forest dwellers disillusioned and waiting for justice. Many continue to hope that their demands will be prioritised to ensure the proper execution of the FRA and uphold their constitutional rights.
