Himachal tribals protest in Kinaur against Congress govt refusing to provide land under Forest Rights Act, 2006

By A Representative
The tribal district Kinaur has witnessed a huge protest rally against the refusal of the Himachal Pradesh (HP) government for the implementation of Forest Right Act (FRA), 2006. The state government has taken the stand that there is no need to implement FRA, as the issue was “settled” decades ago by the British through the imperial settlement process.
The procession began at the Ambedkar Bhawan with the slogan “adivasiyon aur anay van nivwasiyon ke van adhikar sunishit karo” (recognize the forest rights of schedule tribes and other traditional forest dwellers), and reached the Ramleela Maidan.
People from the rural areas of Kinnaur district, as also hundreds of activists of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan from all parts of the state – Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti , Sirmour, and Solan – joined in the procession and public rally. Especially present were national secretary, Ashok Shrimali of Mineral Mines and People, and deputy secretary general Roma Malik of the All Indian Forest People’s and Worker’s Union.
Shrimali told the gathering in thousand s of hectare land had been transferred to the hydro power projects, industries and other big projects “without upholding the legal mechanism”, yet schedule tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who have been living on the forest resources for ages and managing resources traditionally, were denied their rights as provided in the FRA.
Malik said, the UPA government promulgated FRA in 2006 with the objective of undoing the historical injustice to people living in and around the forests and are dependents; “but it is unfortunate that the Congress government in the state has taken no action in recognizing the rights of the peoples even after ten years of the Act in place.”
“It gives the impression that the state government is under the pressure of industry and the forest department”, Malik said, adding, “The forest department all over the country tried to mystified the provisions of the forest right Act, but finally came to the conclusion of recognizing the rights. But in HP the scenario seems just the opposite.”

Malik said, a decision had been taken to hold a big rally in Delhi on December 15 under the banner of the Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan, the apex body of hundreds of organizations, to implement the law under public interest. The rally, she added, would work out a strategy for campaigns, demonstrations and rallies at state and national levels to pressurize the state and national government to implement the law in public interest.
RS Negi of the Him Lok Jagriti Manch said that in Kinnaur district alone around 5,500 claims had been submitted to the district level committees appointed for allocating forest rights, but these committees are refusing to look into the claims.
Worse, Negi said, the forest department is filing false cases against the forest rights claimants, giving them eviction notice. “This is open neglect of FRA. People of Kinnaur will fight against this and ensure their rights under FRA”, he added.
Guman Singh, coordinator, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, said, a delegation under him met with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and former forest and environment minister Jai Ram Ramesh on October 27.
“Gandhi has assured us that the state government would implement FRA in its letter and spirit”, Singh said, adding, “Tribals have been fooled by the state government by asking them to file affidavits they were encroachers on the promise that their lands would be regularized.”
“The situation is unique kin HP. The eviction process can’t be started without recognizing the forest rights under the FRA, the evictions are illegal and unconstitutional”, he declared.

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Search This Blog