Gujjars want Forest Act extended to state

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 11

Gujjar’s today urged the government to extend the Forest Rights Act-2006, passed by Parliament, to Jammu and Kashmir. They said it was the only way to end the problems faced by the tribals whose issues have been politicised by political parties.

The tribal community has said that the extension of the Act will help in the rehabilitation of the nomads who are facing social pressures.

The demand was raised by tribal intellectuals and prominent members during a meeting organised by Tribal Foundation, a NGO.

The community has said that if somebody, irrespective of his religion and political affiliation, was a land grabber, action should be taken against him so that the poor tribals are not targeted.

“We are dismayed by the statements of some groups which are trying to mix tribal issues with land grabbing or demography change. The issues of Gujjars and Bakerwals are humanitarian,” said Javed Rahi, a prominent Gujjar writer.

Those who attended the meeting said the Gujjars and Bakerwals were state subjects and could reside in any part of the state. “People should understand that our nomadic way of life and livelihood are broadly based on animal rearing. People of Jammu have always maintained peace and communal harmony,” said Rahi.