Implement ST Forest Rights Act: Himachal NGOs

Shimla, December 16

Representatives of various organisations from Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Kangra met Revenue Minister Mahender Singh and Congress MLAs in Dharamsala yesterday seeking the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.

“For the past five years, the community from Kangra, Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur and Mandi has constantly raised the demand for the implementation of the law. The state government announced the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in 2018,” said Rigzen Hayrappa from the Save Lahaul-Spiti.

“Himachal has one of the highest percentage of the total geographical area termed forestland, but if has the worst record in the implementation of the Act, with a mere 164 titles issued till date,” he said.—TNS