Jammu Kashmir has made significant progress in implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, which recognizes the rights of Scheduled Tribes and traditional forest dwellers.
According to the government’s statement in the Rajya Sabha, 6,020 titles have been distributed so far, including 429 individual rights and 5,591 community rights.
In the Jammu region, Rajouri topped the distribution with 2,852 titles, followed by Poonch with 1,902. Udhampur, Kathua, and Ramban distributed 14, 42, and 10 titles, respectively.
Some districts, like Samba and Jammu, saw recognition of community rights but no individual titles.
In Kashmir, Anantnag led with 325 titles, followed by Shopian with 220 and Budgam with 181. Srinagar district reported no title distributions, highlighting uneven implementation.
The government has also undertaken extensive afforestation under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Over five years, Rs 679.58 crore was spent on restoring 508.54 square kilometers of forest land.
Key species planted include Deodar, Kail, Fir, Bamboo, and Alnus. The highest expenditure, Rs 177.43 crore, occurred in 2022-23, covering 123.49 square kilometers.
In addition to recognizing forest rights, the administration has focused on livelihood generation for forest-dwelling communities. Efforts include concessions for collecting Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), forming Self-Help Groups, and establishing Biodiversity Management Committees.
A dedicated Forest Protection Force has also been created to safeguard forests and conduct regular protection drives.
The implementation of the FRA, combined with afforestation and livelihood initiatives, reflects the government’s commitment to balancing environmental conservation with the socio-economic development of forest-dependent communities in Jammu Kashmir.