UDHAMPUR, Dec 15: Expressing serious concern over the lackadaisical approach of the Jammu and Kashmir administration towards implementation of forest rights, Ranbir Singh Pathania, MLA Udhampur East, today strongly criticized the Government for its indolence and inaction in safeguarding the legitimate rights of forest dwellers.
Addressing party cadres and members of the general public at the party office in Udhampur, Mr Pathania said that forest dwellers in Jammu and Kashmir have historically been respected and protected, even during the era of Maharaja rule, when traditional rights and dignities of forest-dependent communities were acknowledged. However, he regretted that successive popular Governments failed to institutionalize or clarify these rights in a meaningful manner.
Mr Pathania remarked that it was only on 5th August 2019 that a historic and monumental step was taken, when the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the Forest Rights Act to Jammu and Kashmir, thereby legally conferring long-denied rights upon forest dwellers.
Unfortunately, he said, the intent of the law is being diluted due to poor awareness, administrative apathy, and weak implementation mechanisms.
He observed that despite the availability of technology and data-driven tools, the administration has failed to identify basic bottlenecks in implementation. As a result, he added, miniscule number of cases are being processed, and those who genuinely deserve benefits under the Act continue to remain excluded due to lack of awareness and administrative guidance.
The MLA further expressed grave concern over incidents of demolition and what he termed as “terrorizing and traumatizing actions,”. He called upon the administration to immediately halt coercive actions, launch massive awareness campaigns regarding forest rights, and ensure time-bound, transparent, and humane implementation of the Forest Rights Act in J&K.
Meanwhile, the road from Peer Baba to SC/ST Basti Jansal was also flagged off. Additionally, the NH to Ladyala–Blungad Bain road was inaugurated on the occasion. These projects, the MLA said, reflect the Government’s resolve to bridge long-standing connectivity gaps in remote and marginalized areas.
Those present on the occasion included Ashish Sharma, Mandal Pradhan; Subash Sharma, Puran Chand (DDC Member), Surinder Singh, Verinder Singh, Sukhdev Sharma, and others.
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