Srinagar, Jul 7 (KNS): The J&K Chopan Welfare Association on Tuesday demanded the immediate implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, for pastoralist Chopan families, alleging that thousands of eligible families continue to be deprived of their traditional forest and grazing rights.
In a statement, the association said the delay in recognising the rights of the community has adversely affected its livelihood, cultural identity and socio-economic well-being.
It urged the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir government and the concerned authorities to implement the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, for all eligible pastoralist Chopan families.
The association said the Forest Rights Act was enacted to address the historical injustice faced by forest-dependent communities and alleged that the continued denial of rights to the Chopan community amounted to an extension of that injustice.
It called for the expeditious settlement of all pending Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR) claims and sought protection of traditional grazing routes, seasonal migration corridors and forest-based livelihoods.
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The association also demanded that no eviction, harassment or restrictions be imposed on traditional grazing practices until the legal rights of eligible families are recognised.
It stressed the need for transparency, accountability and community participation in the implementation of the Act.
Claiming that the Chopan community has lived in harmony with forests for generations and contributed to biodiversity conservation, the association said recognition of their legal rights would strengthen both environmental conservation and social justice.
The association appealed to elected representatives, policymakers, civil society organisations and tribal rights groups to support what it described as the legitimate constitutional and legal demands of the Chopan community.
It said it would continue to pursue the issue through peaceful and democratic means until all eligible Chopan families receive the rights guaranteed under the law.(KNS).