Shimla
A one-day workshop was organized today in the Bachat Bhawan Auditorium of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Shimla for effective implementation and awareness of the Forest Rights Act 2006. In the workshop, Additional District Magistrate Kangra Rahul Chauhan gave detailed information about the Act.
The objective of the workshop was to provide detailed information on the key sections, procedures and eligibility criteria of the Act to the concerned departments, Panchayat representatives and local communities, so that eligible families living in forest areas are not deprived of their statutory rights.
All the participants were trained through case studies and presentations.
Rahul Chauhan said that this Act is an important means of recognising the rights of the communities historically dependent on forests on their land. He asked the officials to ensure complete transparency, prompt action and public hearing in the identification of eligible stakeholders and the claim process.
He informed that both individual and community rights are recognised under the Act. He also informed that the Gram Sabha is a deciding unit in this Act, which has been given an important role in receiving and certifying claims.
He hoped that through this workshop, all the concerned officials and stakeholders will take concrete initiative towards implementing this Act in true spirit so that forest dwelling communities can get their rights.
At the end of the workshop, while answering the queries posed by the participants, the officials shared details of each step to be taken under the Act.
