Maha Gramsabha to decide grazing rights

Budgam Aug 1: The Court of Sub Judge in Chadoora in district Budgam has ordered that a Maha Gram Sabha be held to decide granting of grazing rights to the local population of Branwar, Neegu, Jabbad and adjoining villages as mandated under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Reignition of Rights ) Act also known as Forest Rights Act 2006 -FRA.

In its previous order also the court had ordered for holding of the Gram Sabha which hasn’t been held till date on one pretext or the other.

While disposing of the case titled Ghulam Mohammad Jahara v/s Ghulam Qadir Thekrey and others Sub Judge Chadoora (Civil Judge Senior Division) Mir Wajahat ordered that defendants can utilise the 12 designated pasturelands in Doodh Ganga forest range in Budgam until the final call was taken by the Gram Sabha.

The order reads as: “In presence of all parties to the suit it was agreed that all disputes would be settled if a Maha Gram Sabha for all the pastures is conducted under the supervision of an expert lawyer designated by the court, involving all sub division heads of the concerned departments and in accordance with the law, rules and guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Until Maha Gram sabha is conducted any person enjoying rights recognized by the Forest Department shall continue to do so without interference, until the Maha Gran sabha has the opportunity to deliberate and decide on the rights and preferences regarding this land to avoid any dispute pending decision by Gram Sabha. The defendants are permitted to utilize 12 designated pasturelands till then if permitted by law and officers at the helm of affairs."