Samaan Lateef
Mathi-Gawran (Anantnag) May 20
In a groundbreaking move, the Mathi-Gawran Panchayat in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir has unanimously declared 1200 square kilometers of forest land as a Community Forest.
This significant decision, made by the Gram Sabha, the village council, last week, marks a pivotal step towards community-led conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.
The declaration of the Community Forest grants the local community the authority to govern and manage the forest land, allowing them to utilize it for their livelihoods, traditional pastoral practices, and cultural activities. This decision aims to empower indigenous communities, promote biodiversity, and combat deforestation in the region.
The Mathi-Gawran Gram Sabha resolution also entrusts the panchayat with the responsibility of conserving forests and mountains, ensuring the sustainable use of minor forest produce and forest foods. By involving the local community in the preservation and management of the forest resources, this momentous step seeks to foster a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region.
This declaration of the Community Forest is a triumph for the J&K Forest Rights Coalition, an organization dedicated to securing forest rights for indigenous communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The coalition, founded by Climate Justice activist and naturalist Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Zahid Parwaz, and Peer Mohiuddin, has been at the forefront of raising awareness about forest rights and mobilizing communities to claim their rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.
The implementation of the FRA has faced challenges, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir due to the complex political situation in the region. However, the J&K Forest Rights Coalition has been tirelessly working to address these challenges and advocate for the implementation of forest rights.
The struggle for forest rights in Jammu and Kashmir has seen numerous victories, with several other Gram Sabhas in different regions passing resolutions to declare forest lands as Community Forests under the Forest Rights Act 2006. Among them are Mujpathri Budgam, Kawari-Lolab Kupwara, Doodmarg-Tral, Naristan Hajen Tral-Pulwama, Darde-woeder Mamer-Kangan Ganderbal, and Mathi-Gawran Anatnag.
Despite these positive steps, there are ongoing issues regarding the eviction of tribal people from forest land in Jammu and Kashmir. Tribal communities, such as the Gujjars, have been facing displacement and eviction by forest officials, often in violation of established rules and regulations.
This has led to protests and unrest among the affected communities.
The Gujjars, who have a deep connection with the forests and depend on them for their livelihoods, have voiced their opposition to these evictions. They argue that their traditional way of life and sustainable practices pose no threat to the forest ecosystem and that their rights should be recognized and protected.
While the declaration of the Community Forest signifies progress, the J&K Forest Rights Coalition acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. The coalition will continue its efforts to raise awareness about forest rights, mobilize communities to claim their rights, and advocate for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act by the government.
In addition to facilitating the declaration of community forests, the coalition will assist Gram Sabhas and indigenous communities in filing individual claims to secure their rights. Through these collective efforts, the J&K Forest Rights Coalition strives to ensure a future where indigenous communities have rightful access to and control over their forest resources, fostering sustainable and harmonious coexistence with nature.
Conflicts between forest dwellers and authorities over land and resource rights have been a longstanding issue in various parts of the world, including India. Indigenous communities and forest dwellers, such as the Gujjar community, often face challenges in securing their rights to land and resources due to factors like competing interests, conservation policies, and the complexities of land tenure systems.
he break-up of the resolutions passed by Gram sabhas thus far declaring community forest in terms of data include:
- Doodmarg-Tral, Naristan, and Hejin Grahm sabhas declared 2000 sq. km
- Kawari-Lolab Kupwara declared 1000 sq. km
- Darde-woeder Mamer-Kangan Ganderbal declared 1100 sq. km
- Mujpathri Budgam declared 1000 sq. km
- Mati Gawran-Anatnag declared 1200 sq. km
