Special awareness meetings will be organised in Shimla Rural from February 2 to February 6, 2026, to facilitate the filing of individual and community claims under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA). An office order to this effect was issued on Tuesday by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Shimla Rural, Manjeet Sharma.
The SDM stated that all Panchayats in the Shimla Rural Assembly constituency have been grouped into nine clusters, and a nodal officer has been appointed for each cluster. The designated officers are required to be present at the meetings, failing which legal action will be taken as per rules. The meetings will be held daily from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
As per the schedule, on February 2, 2026, Naib Tehsildar Dhami Rakesh Kumar Sharma will attend meetings at Piplidhar, Okhru, Ghaich-Kohbag, Ghandal, Halog (Dhami), Bathmana (Jabri) and Maili (Jezd) at the Sub-Tehsil Office, Dhami. On the same day, SDM Manjeet Sharma will be present at meetings covering Shakrah, Pahal, Chalhog, Bhaloh, Ghanahatti, Grevag Naihara, Mulbari Devnagar, Dudhalti, Janol, Galot, Shamlaghat, Chayli, Girb, Sangti Sanhog, Neri, Tutu (Majthai) and Baichadi at the Block Development Officer Office, Tutu (Hiranagar-Banuti).
Development Block Officer Basantpur, Neelkanth Sharma, has been assigned meetings in Chanog, Chalahal, Thachi, Naihara and Kotla at the BDO Office, Basantpur.
On February 4, 2026, Social Education and Block Planning Officer Rajneesh Kaundal will be present in Chamiyana, Maihali, Salyana, Razhana, Pujarli and Patgaihar at the Gram Panchayat Chamiyana. Tehsildar Junga Kartikeya Sharma will attend meetings in Junga, Koti, Bharech, Bhalog, Peeran, Satlai, Janedghat, Darbhog and Barandi Fataichi at Gram Panchayat Koti. Tehsildar Shimla Rural Sanjeev Gupta has been appointed for Shoghi, Thadi, Jalail, Anandpur, Kot and Badhai at Gram Panchayat Shoghi, while SDM Manjeet Sharma will attend meetings in Chanog, Dhamoon, Bagi and Rampur Kyothal at Gram Panchayat Bagi (Jathia Devi).
On February 6, 2026, Social Education and Block Planning Officer Rajneesh Kaundal will cover Naldehra, Manju (Dabri), Baldeyan, Mashobra, Gumma, Kufri, Nala, Dhalli, Kollu Ka Jubbad and Moolkoti at the Committee Hall, Mashobra. On the same day, SDM Manjeet Sharma will be present at Pagog, Chadi, Dummi, Bhont and Barmu (Kelti) at the Gram Panchayat Pagog.
About the Forest Rights Act, 2006
The Forest Rights Act was enacted to recognize and vest forest rights in Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers who depend on forests for their livelihoods. The Act addresses historical injustices by granting individual rights to cultivate and reside on forest land (up to four hectares) and community rights, including grazing, fishing, collection and sale of minor forest produce, and the right to protect and manage forest resources and wildlife.
These awareness meetings aim to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are informed of their rights and supported in submitting valid claims under the Act.
