KANGAN, GANDERBAL: In a significant development for the forest rights movement in Jammu & Kashmir, a massive public consultation organized by the Forest Rights Coalition (FRC-J&K) at Kangan in Ganderbal district today unanimously adopted the “Kangan Declaration”, calling for the immediate, transparent, and effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 across Jammu & Kashmir.
The consultation brought together tribal community members, forest dwellers, civil society representatives, youth leaders, former Panchayat representatives, environmental activists, and grassroots stakeholders from different parts of Central Kashmir. The event reflected the growing public demand for recognition of forest rights, democratic governance of natural resources, and justice for communities historically dependent on forests for their livelihoods and cultural survival.
The consultation was attended by Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder and Chairman of Forest Rights Coalition J&K and renowned Climate Justice Activist, Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, Convenor FRC-J&K, Ikram Bajran, Bashir Ahmad Terwah, Advocate Sajad, Yousuf Poswal (Former BDC Chairman Kangan), Atta Mohammad, Mohammad Younis, Shahida Parveen, and several prominent social and community leaders.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions on the status of FRA implementation in Jammu & Kashmir, the challenges faced by forest-dwelling communities, and the urgent need to strengthen grassroots institutions such as Gram Sabhas.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool described the Forest Rights Act as one of the most important social justice and environmental governance legislations enacted in independent India.
He stated:
“The Forest Rights Act is not merely a law about land or forests. It is a law about justice, dignity, democracy, and ecological stewardship. It was enacted to correct the historical injustice committed against forest-dwelling communities whose lives, cultures, and livelihoods have been intrinsically linked with forests for generations. Unfortunately, despite the extension of FRA to Jammu & Kashmir, implementation remains slow, fragmented, and far below expectations.”
Dr. Rasool emphasized that the future of forests cannot be separated from the future of the communities that have protected them for centuries.
“Climate change, biodiversity loss, shrinking water resources, and environmental degradation are among the greatest challenges facing Jammu & Kashmir today. Scientific evidence from across the world demonstrates that forests are best protected when local communities are empowered as custodians rather than treated as encroachers. The FRA provides a democratic framework where conservation and community rights can move together.”
The renowned climate justice activist further stated that empowering Gram Sabhas is essential for sustainable forest governance.
“The Gram Sabha is the heart of the Forest Rights Act. Without empowering Gram Sabhas, FRA becomes an empty promise. Communities must have the authority to identify, protect, conserve, and manage their traditional forest resources. Real decentralization is the key to both ecological sustainability and social justice.”
Dr. Rasool also highlighted the broader implications of FRA implementation for climate resilience in the Himalayan region.
“The Himalayas are among the most climate-vulnerable regions of the world. Protecting forests is not merely an environmental necessity; it is a climate imperative.
Strengthening community forest governance through FRA can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, disaster risk reduction, carbon sequestration, and sustainable livelihoods. The implementation of FRA must therefore be viewed as both a social justice obligation and a climate action priority.”
Speaking on the occasion, Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, Convenor of Forest Rights Coalition J&K, expressed concern over delays in the implementation process and stressed the need for greater accountability among implementing agencies.
He stated:
“The Forest Rights Act is a legally binding legislation. Its implementation cannot be left to administrative discretion. Forest-dependent communities have waited for decades for recognition of their rights. Every delay in implementation means continued denial of justice to thousands of families who depend upon forests for their survival and livelihoods.”
Zahid Parwaz Choudhary emphasized that awareness generation and institutional accountability must go hand in hand.
“Many eligible communities remain unaware of their rights under FRA. At the same time, there are serious gaps in institutional preparedness. Government departments must actively facilitate the implementation process, conduct awareness programmes, build capacities at the grassroots level, and ensure that claims are processed transparently and fairly.”
He further stated that inclusive governance mechanisms are necessary for ensuring effective implementation.
“The voices of forest-dependent communities must be heard at every level of decision-making. Experts working on forest rights and representatives of grassroots organizations should be included in advisory and monitoring bodies to ensure transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation.”
During the consultation, participants from different villages shared their experiences and highlighted the practical difficulties faced in accessing information and support regarding forest rights claims. Several speakers pointed out that despite the legal framework being in place, communities continue to face institutional barriers and lack adequate assistance from field-level agencies.
Former BDC Chairman Yousuf Poswal, community leaders Ikram Bajran, Bashir Ahmad Terwah, Advocate Sajad Kasana, Atta Mohammad, Mohammad Younis, and Shahida Parveen also addressed the gathering and strongly supported the demand for accelerated implementation of the Forest Rights Act. They emphasized the importance of community participation, transparency, and democratic governance in the management of forests and natural resources.
Following extensive deliberations, the gathering unanimously adopted the Kangan Declaration, which will be submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister for Tribal Affairs, the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, the Minister for Jal Shakti, the MLA Kangan, and the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal.
The Declaration places three key demands before the Government:
First, full autonomy and decision-making authority must be granted to Gram Sabhas as envisioned under the Forest Rights Act.
Second, accountability mechanisms must be established to ensure strict adherence to FRA provisions and to accelerate implementation at the ground level.
Third, experts and representatives from the Forest Rights Coalition and community organizations should be included in relevant advisory and monitoring bodies to facilitate transparent and effective implementation.
The consultation concluded with a collective pledge to strengthen grassroots awareness campaigns, support community-led conservation initiatives, and continue peaceful democratic advocacy for the realization of forest rights in Jammu & Kashmir.
Participants reaffirmed that forests are not merely ecological assets but living landscapes that sustain cultures, livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate resilience. They emphasized that genuine conservation cannot be achieved by excluding communities but by recognizing and strengthening their rights and responsibilities.
The Forest Rights Coalition J&K reiterated its commitment to working with communities, civil society organizations, researchers, policymakers, and government institutions to ensure that the promise of the Forest Rights Act reaches every eligible forest-dwelling family and community across Jammu & Kashmir.
The message emerging from Kangan was clear and unequivocal: Forest Rights are constitutional rights, human rights, and climate justice rights. Their implementation is essential for building a more democratic, equitable, and environmentally sustainable future for Jammu & Kashmir.
Issued by: Forest Rights Coalition – Jammu & Kashmir (FRC-J&K)
