PDP legislator Waheed Para expresses concern over alleged harassment of Gujjar community

Srinagar, Mar 22: PDP legislator Wahid-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday expressed concern over the alleged harassment of the Gujjar community, and emphasized the urged need for implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Gujjar community primarily resides near forests, and for months now, we have witnessed a pattern of violence against them. The community is facing harassment," PDP leader Para stated in Assembly.

He stressed that granting grazing rights under the FRA would provide the community much-needed relief and security.

Addressing the severe water crisis in south Kashmir, Para highlighted the impact of climate change on the region’s water resources. He pointed out that from Tral to Pulwama multiple areas are struggling with water crisis.

"The banks of Jhelum River are being eroded, irrigation canals have dried up, and there is no source of water," he said, and urged upon authorities to take immediate action including the installation of bore wells, to mitigate the crisis and support affected population.

The ongoing environmental and socio-political challenges require urgent intervention to safeguard both natural resources and vulnerable communities in the region, he outlined.