JAMMU — A total of 41,944 claims have been received across Jammu and Kashmir under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), including 28,925 individual forest rights (IFR) claims and 13,019 community forest rights (CFR) claims, the Union Territory government informed the Assembly on Friday.
In a written reply to BJP MLA R S Pathania, Forest Minister Javed Rana said Rajouri district recorded the highest number of claims at 16,442, comprising 9,067 IFR and 6,002 CFR claims.
Kupwara followed with 6,039 claims 5,448 IFR and 591 CFR, while Poonch reported 5,175 claims 1,282 IFR and 3,893 CFR, he said.
Budgam accounted for 4,065 claims 3,862 IFR and 203 CFR. Other districts included Doda 1,795, Shopian 1,595, Kulgam 1,405, Ramban 1,308 and Baramulla 741.
Anantnag received 676 claims, followed by Reasi 578), Ganderbal 514, Pulwama 323 and Bandipora 219).
In the Jammu region, Kishtwar recorded 855 claims, while Jammu 44, Kathua 42, Samba 77 and Udhampur 51 reported relatively low numbers. No claims were received from Srinagar district, the House was informed.
Rana said the figures reflect cumulative claims received under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which recognises forest and community rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
He added that while the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department earlier served as the nodal agency for FRA implementation, the Tribal Affairs Department has now been designated as the nodal department. — (PTI)