NGO opposes eviction drive against farmers

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 2

The Himachal Van Adhikar Manch (HVAM), an NGO, on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to expedite the process of implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, to give justice to small and marginal farmers living in the vicinity of forest areas.

Addressing a press conference here, HVAM activists Askshay Jasrotia, Manshi Asher and Prakash Negi claimed the government’s ongoing eviction drive against small and marginal farmers was wrong.

The manch strongly challenged the eviction drive. The government must first start and complete recognition and verification process before starting the drive, they claimed.

Jasrotia, convener, said 17,503 Forest Right Committees (FRCs) had been formed but there was no political will to implement the FRA. Only 53 individuals and seven community titles had been issued under the Act in Himachal.

He said the manch submitted a memorandum to the CM urging him to expedite the process of verification of forest rights’ claims and issuing of titles for the dwellers under the Act. Once they get claims and title, the communities would help in conservation and protection of forests, he added.