Those staying in forest areas for 60-70 years not to be evicted: Javed Rana

Jammu, Mar 22: J&K Legislative Assembly Saturday saw BJP and treasury benches locking horns over the issue of implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Though both the sides favoured the implementation of Act, in letter and spirit yet the BJP MLAs led by Sham Sharma, objected to, what they alleged, “the Minister announcing sweeping rights in the garb of Act, going beyond its (Act’s) scope.”

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Javed Rana, denying the charge, reiterated that the Act, passed by the Parliament of India, would be implemented in its “true letter and spirit.” Targetting the BJP, Rana alleged that the BJP MLAs did not want its implementation as they never wanted to give SC, ST and OBCs their rights. “They only shed crocodile tears for them,” Rana mockingly remarked. Amid uproarious scenes, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Javed Rana and the former Minister and BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma entered into a verbal duel, which also turned ugly for a while.

Issue erupted when the Minister (Javed Rana), while replying to the debate on demands for grants under his charge announced that those, living in the forest areas for 60-70 years, would not be evicted. “In spirit with the demands of the Members of this House and taking cognizance of their complaints people living in the forests for 70 years or so, with no place (house or land) to stay, will not be evicted. They will not be touched and will be allowed to stay there where they are living,” Rana announced, amid loud thumping of desks by the treasury benches.

He stated that the FRA would be properly implemented. “This has been passed by the Parliament of India and is being implemented across India. It will be implemented in J&K as well in letter and spirit.”

Upon this, Sham Sharma rose to object, as he said, “Sir, I’ve a point of order to make. Minister is making a sweeping statement. Only a person, who does not have even an inch of land in his or her name, is entitled to claim benefit under this Act. How could he make such a statement?”

There was total chaos in the House as both treasury and opposition (BJP) benches were up on their feet, supporting their respective stances while the Minister continued to read his reply to the debate.

After a few moments, the Speaker asked Sham to explain his stance. “Minister is not above the House. Minister is saying – Jahan Bhi Woh Baithey Hain…This is not in spirit with the law implemented here also in J&K in 2019,” Sham said.

By then, the Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, who was earlier not in the House too joined his agitating colleagues.

Amid din, protesting against BJP members, AIP member Sheikh Khursheed tried to enter the well.

As BJP members continued to create uproar, Rana took a dig at them, saying they were exposed. Sham retorted, “In the garb of Act, the Minister is using his authority beyond its scope. J&K State is not the personal property of the Minister. Yeh Dogron Ki Riyasat Hai.” Mankotia and other BJP members too joined the cause with Sham.

Irked over it, Rana asked him (Sham) to mind his language. “J&K State belongs to us all. The Act is not brought and passed by NC but the Parliament. What I’m saying is in the spirit of law that the people living there for 50 years cannot be evicted.”

BJP’s Pawan Gupta said, “In J&K, there is no forest village. During the British era, this law was brought, giving cultivation rights to those settled in the forest. Only entitled persons should be given this right. There are rules and guidelines under the Act passed by the Parliament. We have also adopted this Act. It should be implemented in letter and spirit.”

Rather after listening to both the sides stated, "The Minister is saying that the law will be implemented in letter and spirit. Where is the scope of argument?"

Later the House passed the demands for grants amounting Rs 154531.84 lakh for Forest, Ecology and Environment; Rs 157671.32 lakh for Irrigation and Flood Control Department; Rs 350126.57 lakh for PHE (Jal Shakti) and Rs 44,299.17 lakh for the Tribal Affairs Department through a voice vote after the MLAs withdrew their cut motion.

Earlier, winding up the discussion, Rana, extended his gratitude to the MLAs for their valuable suggestions and constructive observations on the demand for grants.

He said that inputs reflected the collective commitment of this House towards ensuring sustainable development, environmental conservation and welfare of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

He said that the government was fully committed towards addressing the concerns raised while ensuring efficient utilization of resources to meet the aspirations of the people.

While speaking regarding the Jal Shakti department, Rana said that government was determined towards providing “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” to all rural households and was utilizing resources from Jal Jeevan Mission, NABARD and UT Capex to provide fifty five (55) litres of clean drinking water per capita daily, conforming to BIS 10000 and 10500 standards.

“J&K which languished at the bottom is now figuring at 5th in the overall functionality assessment conducted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI, through a third-party agency. The overall functionality of J&K has improved from 53 percent in the year 2022 to 74 percent in 2024,” he said. He added that J&K was ranking first in the Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance at the National level.

Rana further said that under NABARD loan assistance, 12 projects amounting Rs 177 crore have been cleared under RIDF 30. These projects comprised 8 irrigation sector projects and 4 flood sector projects, all set to commence in 2025-26.

While talking about the Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Rana said that the department was set to achieve the target of planting 150 lakh plants during the year 2024-25 under the programme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, launched by Prime Minister. He said that the department's continuous efforts led to positive results, as J&K recorded a net increase of 91.25 sq. km in forest and tree cover as per the Indian State of Forest Report 2023.

Regarding implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006, Rana said that 6,058 claims were settled in J&K, comprising 348 individual and 5,710 community forest rights claims.

Talking about Wular Lake, the largest freshwater wetland in Asia and a Ramsar site, Rana said that it was undergoing major restoration with a focus on ecotourism and local livelihoods.

Regarding the Tribal Affairs Department, Javed Rana said that the government was pursuing integrated Social, Economic, Educational, Cultural Development of tribal communities through several schemes.