TAUSEEF AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister Javed Rana on Tuesday said that education has been placed at the centre of the government’s policy framework for the welfare and empowerment of nomadic and tribal communities, with renewed focus on strengthening tribal hostels, improving access to schooling in remote areas, and ensuring speedy implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) across the Union Territory.
Interacting with reporters in Srinagar, Rana, who holds key portfolios including Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs, underlined that the government is determined to bridge long-standing developmental gaps faced by nomadic tribes, particularly those living in far-flung, hilly and border areas.
“Education is our foremost priority. Tribal hostels play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by nomadic populations who migrate seasonally and live in inaccessible regions. Strengthening these hostels is essential to ensuring continuity in education for tribal children,” Rana said.
The minister candidly acknowledged that the Forest Rights Act had not been implemented effectively in Jammu and Kashmir in the past, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction and alienation among tribal communities. To rectify this, he said the government has taken concrete institutional steps by establishing Forest Rights Committee (FRC) cells at the district level to fast-track the verification and disposal of long-pending claims.
Rana further explained that, unlike several other states where the forest department functions as the nodal agency for FRA implementation, the Jammu and Kashmir government has designated the Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal authority. “This decision has been taken deliberately to ensure better coordination, transparency and accountability, and to safeguard the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities,” he said.
Commenting on the political reorganisation of the erstwhile state, Rana said that those who divided Jammu and Kashmir are now floating ideas about creating separate states in regions like Pir Panjal and Chenab. “These narratives keep changing. The day is not far when Ladakh will once again be merged with Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.
Referring specifically to Ladakh, the minister said the reorganisation has had deep administrative as well as emotional consequences for tribal populations on both sides. He stressed that tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh share centuries-old historical, cultural and social bonds, particularly in border and trans-Himalayan regions. “Tribal identity, cultural continuity and social links cannot be viewed in isolation by drawing artificial boundaries,” Rana said.
Highlighting development initiatives, the minister said that the government is implementing targeted programmes under the ‘Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan’, with special emphasis on education, eco-tourism, homestays and border tourism. These initiatives, he said, aim to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities while preserving the cultural and ecological heritage of tribal regions.
Addressing concerns over water scarcity in Srinagar, Rana assured that the issue would be resolved by the end of March. “Several water supply schemes are currently under execution in Srinagar city. Areas facing acute shortages are being supplied water through tankers. We are confident that the overall water crisis in Srinagar will be resolved by March-end,” he said.
On the specific challenges of educating nomadic children, Rana admitted that seasonal schools continue to face serious constraints, particularly in high-altitude areas where permanent infrastructure is not feasible. He said the government is actively exploring alternative models, including the establishment of dedicated hostels for nomadic children and extending the tenure of seasonal teachers, preferably recruited from within the same communities to ensure cultural compatibility and continuity.
The minister also called upon civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to actively support government initiatives. Emphasising that education cannot be improved through government efforts alone, Rana said community participation and social responsibility are vital for enhancing educational outcomes among nomadic and tribal populations in Jammu and Kashmir.
