Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 21: A local court in Chadoora in district Budgam has directed the Gram Sabha of Panchayat to decide about granting of grazing rights to the local population as mandated under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
The order issued by Sub Judge Chadoora Mir Wajahat directed the Gram Sabha to consider the rights and preferences of both the parties within 30 days from date of issuance of the order so that there is equitable distribution of the resources.
The order was passed by the Court of Sub Judge Chadoora in the matter of Ghulam Mohammad Jahara versus S Ghulam Qadir Thekray, both residents of Branwar, Chadoora district Budgam.
The plaintiffs Ghulam Mohammad Jahara alias Chowdhary and others had claimed rights over Chaskani Nad meadow which is spread over an area of more than 5000 kanals located in Doodh Ganga forest range of Pir Panjaal forest division Budgam.
The other party Ghulam Qadir Thekrey (defendants) who also belong to Gujjar community allege that Chowdhary had forcibly taken control over 5000 kanals of meadows and were earning money from it as the family takes money from Bakarwals of Rajouri and Poonch for grazing their animals in summer months while as majority of the local Gujjar and other pastoralist communities were deprived of these rights.
The matter finally landed in court last year and Sub Judge Chadoora directed the Gram Sabha to decide the matter.
Under Forest Rights Act 2006 also Gram Sabha is the supreme authority to decide upon the claims filed by local population. The Gram Sabha is the adult population of the village and 50 % quorum is necessary to decide on the Forest Rights Act (FRA) related cases.
Pertinently the Gujjar community of Branwar, Jabbad , Neegu villages in Budgam district were denied the grazing rights in the pasture-land of Chaskani Naad last summer. The said pastureland is located at an altitude of 4000 meters in Doodh Ganga forest range of Pir Panjal Forest Division.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
