Bara Bhanghal residents receive Community Forest Rights titles in HP

Under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, a Community Forest Rights title distribution ceremony was organised at Bir on Saturday. During the programme, eligible residents of the Bara Bhanghal area of Baijnath were formally presented their Community Forest Rights titles.

Baijnath Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sankalp Gautam attended the event as the chief guest. Congratulating the beneficiaries, he said the objective of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, was to recognise and protect the legal rights of people who have been residing in forest lands for generations. He explained that the Act provides for both individual and community forest rights, enabling local communities to not only secure their livelihoods but also actively participate in the conservation and management of forests.

Elaborating on the procedure specified under the Act, the SDM said a village-level committee was constituted to identify eligible individuals and communities and conduct a preliminary verification of claims. After obtaining the Gram Sabha's approval, the proposals were forwarded to the sub-divisional committee. Following detailed scrutiny of claims, verification of records and field inspections, the cases were sent to the district-level committee for final approval.

He thanked the Himachal Pradesh Government and the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra for the effective implementation of the Act. Expressing confidence in the impact of the awarded titles, the SDM said they would create new livelihood opportunities for local residents and encourage their active involvement in the sustainable management of forest resources.

Among those present on the occasion were District Congress Committee President Anurag Sharma, former Scheduled Caste Cell president Ravinder Bittu, Panchayat representatives, members of the Forest Rights Committee and officials and employees from various government departments.