Budgam, Sep 22 (KNS): With an aim of reaching out to tribals and the traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) a workshop on Forest Rights Act (FRA) was held at Darwan Basti Yusmarg in Pir Panjal forest division of Budgam on Tuesday. The workshop was organised by NGO Koshish.

The speakers during the workshop explained in detail the rights guaranteed to scheduled tribe (ST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) communities who under FRA are supposed to get various entitlements. Speakers and resource persons explained in detail the Individual Forest Rights and Community Forest Rights. They also handholded the population in filing the claim forms under FRA 2006.

Some documentaries on the Forest Rights Act and rights of tribals were showcased during the workshop. Locals of Darwan Basti and Nagbal appreciated the programme conducted by Koshish. The Director of the NGO Koshish Dr Rouf Mohiudeen , Social activists Chowdhary Farooq Badhana , Chowdhary Riyaz Bhadana, Dr Raja Muzaffar  also spoke on the occasion. The community leaders and panchayat members also participated in the day-long workshop. This was the second workshop in the area during the last two weeks. The NGO is planning to hold more such public outreach programmes on Forest Rights Act in the coming months in Raithan and Doodh Ganga forest ranges of Budgam. (KNS)