Jammu

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Assembly that a total of 41,944 claims have been submitted across the Union Territory under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, since its implementation.

Responding in writing to a query raised by BJP legislator R S Pathania, Forest Minister Javed Rana said the claims include 28,925 Individual Forest Rights (IFR) applications and 13,019 Community Forest Rights (CFR) applications.

The FRA, formally known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, seeks to recognise the land and community rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest residents who have lived on forest land for generations.

According to the district-wise data placed before the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Rajouri district accounted for the highest number of claims at 16,442, comprising 9,067 individual claims and 6,002 community claims.

Kupwara followed with 6,039 claims, including 5,448 IFR and 591 CFR applications, while Poonch reported 5,175 claims—1,282 individual and 3,893 community claims, Rana said.

Budgam registered 4,065 claims (3,862 IFR and 203 CFR). Other districts with notable numbers include Doda (1,795), Shopian (1,595), Kulgam (1,405), Ramban (1,308) and Baramulla (741).

Anantnag received 676 claims, followed by Reasi with 578, Ganderbal 514, Pulwama 323 and Bandipora 219. In the Jammu region, Kishtwar reported 855 claims, while Jammu district recorded 44. Kathua had 42 claims, Samba 77 and Udhampur 51. No claims were received from Srinagar district, the House was informed.

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The minister said the figures represent cumulative claims received across all districts of the Union Territory under the FRA. He also noted that while the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department earlier served as the nodal agency for implementing the Act, the responsibility has now been shifted to the Department of Tribal Affairs.