Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Tribal researcher, Dr. Javaid Rahi has claimed that Gram Sabha enjoys largest power in four tier committees constituted to implement Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 as Sabha’s approval is essential for recognition of rights of tribal groups and other forest dwellers.
Rahi was speaking at conclusion of six days forest rights awareness programme in Panghar, Lassana, Surankote, Arai, Ajot, Chandak, Mankote and Mendhar areas of Poonch and Rajouri.
He claimed that Gram Sabha enjoys a key role in the Act and duties of Village Forest Rights Committee is much higher as it has a role to settle claims of forest dweller communities after proper verification.
Rahi also said that basic criteria to claim rights on forest land is dependency on forest for livelihood and as such it discourages land encroachers, grabbers to enter in the ambit of claimants.
He informed Gujjars and Bakerwals that they have no right to sell or lease the lands if granted under Forest Rights Act and cautioned the tribal people to be aware of people spreading rumors amongst tribes.
Rahi asked the community members to adhere to all the norm, rules and regulations of the Act so that their claims may not get rejected.
Those who also spoke in meetings were Ch. Javaid Rana, Ex MLA; Ch Nazir, BDC Chairman, Hari Surankote; Altaf Janjoua, Urdu Writer, Imtaiz Chowdhary and others.
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