Panchayat Halqa Mujpathri-Khansahab made history on April 28th by organising the first Gram Sabha on Community Forest Rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006. The event witnessed a large turnout of residents who participated in the historical gathering. The event was assisted and facilitated by J&K- Forest Rights Coalition (FRC).
During the Gram Sabha, a detailed resolution was read and passed by the Forest Rights Committee, Panchayat and Gram Sabha members with unanimous approval. The resolution declared 1000 square kilometers of forest land, stretching from Sochal-pathri to Nurpur gali, Khaal-Katt to Burgah, Zeskhal to Eid (lidermatt), as Community Forest.
The resolution also mandated the panchayat to ensure conservation of forests and mountains, as well as the sustainable use of minor forest produce and forest foods. Notably, Mujpathri panchayat is the first panchayat to lead community conservation, community-based tourism and afforestation under the leadership of J&K-FRC and its activists.
The Gram Sabha also resolved that the first beneficiaries of Doodpathri tourism would be residents of Rayiar, Mujpathri, Gurweit and Bassant Woeder. The resolution also stressed the importance of maintaining the carrying capacity of Doodpathri during tourism and opposed mass and irresponsible tourism. It also prohibited the use of packed food, polythene, liquor and narcotic drugs.
Furthermore, the Panchayat pledged to monitor anti-environmental development in eco-sensitive areas. The resolution was supported by the Panchayats of Gurwaith, Rayiar, Beeru, Rayiar Keich, Check Shaira, and Drager, respectively.
The founder of the J&K forest Rights Coalition, Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Secretary, Peer Ghulam Mohi-udin, and Convener Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, coordinated the Gram Sabha procedures under the Forest Rights Act 2006. This historical event marks a significant step towards community-led conservation and sustainable tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The declaration of 1000 Sq. km of forest land as a community forest during the First Historical Gram Sabah at Mujpathri marks a significant step towards sustainable and community-led forest management. Community forests are forest lands managed and governed by the local communities, who use them for their livelihoods, traditional practices, and cultural activities. This approach not only empowers the communities but also helps in conserving the forest ecosystem, reducing deforestation and promoting biodiversity. The recognition of community forest as a legitimate land-use category is an important development in the realm of forest governance and management, and the move by Mujpathri to declare such a large area as a community forest is commendable. It is hoped that this will serve as an inspiration for other communities and governments to follow suit in promoting community-led forest management and conservation.