Gaddi shepherds oppose barbed fencing in forest areas
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, November 12
Gaddi shepherds have objected to barbed fencing in the forest areas of Kangra district.
They alleged that barbed wires were causing injuries to their animals and infringing upon their forest rights.
Promod, a shepherd, said the Forest Department had erected barbed fencing in forests above the Sudher area, thus reducing the width of their traditional paths. “Our sheep get caught in these wires and sustain injuries,” he alleged.
Divisional Forest Officer, Dharamsala, Sanjeev Kumar said barbed fencing had been put up in some forest areas to protect fresh plantations. In the Sudher forest area, plantations had been made on three hectares under the Compensatory Afforestation Scheme. The remaining forest was free for Gaddi shepherds, who migrate here from the higher reaches, he said.
The DFO said it was wrong on part of shepherds to claim right over those areas where fresh plantations had been made as animals could destroy the saplings.
Gaddi shepherds, however, said barbed fencing should not be erected on their traditional forests and plantations should be done away from traditional paths.
The issue of erecting barbed fencing in forest areas was taken up at a meeting held at the office of the Kangra Deputy Commissioner recently.
NGOs, which are fighting for the forest rights of Gaddi shepherds, alleged that the department did not consult shepherds while implementing any project in the forest areas. Under the forest rights Act, Gaddi shepherds should be consulted before implementing any project.
