Forest Rights Struggle: 39,000 Claims Rejected in Jammu & Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir government denied over 39,000 land claims under the Forest Rights Act but distributed over 65,000 kanals to ST families. A significant number of rejections were due to insufficient documentation. The process involves approval from gram sabhas and higher-level committees, with appeals possible.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has turned down more than 39,000 claims for land ownership under the Forest Rights Act, citing insufficient evidence and documentation. Despite these rejections, over 65,000 kanals of forest land have been distributed to more than 6,020 scheduled tribe families, including Gujjars, Bakerwals, and other forest dwellers.

Of the 46,090 claims submitted by Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, a staggering 39,906 were rejected. Most rejections occurred at the gram sabha level, largely due to a lack of supporting documents. Applicants, however, retain the right to appeal, culminating with a final decision from the district-level committee.

Enacted in 2006 and introduced in J&K in 2019, the Forest Rights Act represents a critical effort to recognize the rights of tribal communities while adhering to legal and administrative procedures. With the majority of land titles issued in specific districts, the distribution signals progress but challenges remain in ensuring equitable land rights recognition.

(With inputs from agencies.)