SRINAGAR: In a significant move towards community-led environmental stewardship, the 33rd Gram Sabha of Panchayat Halqa Hallan in Manzgam, District Kulgam, has declared approximately 60 square kilometres of forest land as Community Forest under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The historic resolution, passed with broad participation, also instituted a ban on plastic and packaged food within the newly designated area, with a particular focus on protecting the delicate alpine ecosystem of Chiranbal Meadow.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the assembly, convened under the framework of the Forest Rights Act, witnessed substantial public engagement, underscoring a collective assertion of local rights and responsibilities over forest resources. This declaration marks a pivotal moment in community forest governance in the region.
The Gram Sabha proceedings were facilitated by the Forest Rights Coalition JK (FRC JK) in partnership with the Rural Development Department (RDD) Block Manzgam and FRC Hallan. Attendees included local residents, schoolchildren, educators, Forest Department officials, climate justice advocates, and Panchayat representatives. The event commenced with the recitation of verses from the Quran, followed by a welcome address delivered by Chowdary Mohd Isaq.
During the discussions, former Sarpanch Gulzar Ahmad highlighted prevalent issues affecting the community, such as the closure of pastoral routes, restricted access to traditional grazing lands, and deficiencies in school infrastructure. He also noted a perceived disconnect and an allegedly high-handed approach from certain segments of the Forest Department.
Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder of FRC JK, delivered the keynote address, characterizing the Forest Rights Act as a crucial framework for corrective justice that reinstates forest-dwelling communities as rightful custodians of their landscapes. He emphasized that the Act’s implementation in Jammu and Kashmir is an established reality, urging official alignment with its spirit. Dr. Rasool also pointed out that communities residing in forest and mountain areas represent a model of climate-resilient living, possessing traditional knowledge vital for ecological balance, water security, and long-term sustainability.
Legal expert Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar explained the legal protections afforded by the Act, stating that any interference in forest areas without the prior informed consent of the Gram Sabha is illegal. He warned that obstructing these rights could lead to legal repercussions under existing laws, including provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, Convenor of FRC JK, reiterated the coalition’s commitment to supporting indigenous pastoral and forest-dwelling communities through awareness campaigns, advocacy, and the monitoring of the Act’s implementation. He stressed the need for the Forest Department to adopt a collaborative approach, working in genuine partnership with communities to align conservation objectives with the welfare and rights of local populations. Choudhary presented the Gram Sabha resolution, offering institutional backing to communities seeking recognition of both Community Forest Rights and Individual Forest Rights.
The adopted resolution outlines a comprehensive plan for restoration and renewal. It calls for the reopening of traditional routes to highland pastures and the revitalization of seasonal shelters, known as ‘dokes’, which are integral to pastoral life. The resolution also addresses developmental needs, including the allocation of land for school infrastructure, while firmly committing the community to conservation, restoration, and sustainable forest management. The ban on plastic and packaged food, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Chiranbal Meadow and along trekking routes, signals a strong intent to protect the region’s fragile environment.
Participants from Hallan–Manzgam conveyed their gratitude for FRC JK’s ongoing efforts in strengthening Gram Sabhas through legal awareness, community mobilization, and advocacy. The gathering was widely perceived as a significant step forward for participatory forest governance and ecological stewardship in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concluding the session, Mohd Altaf Poswal, District Coordinator Kulgam for FRC JK, thanked all attendees and highlighted the necessity of a coexistence model where forest conservation and community rights progress in tandem.
The Chenab Times News Desk