J&K Speeds Up FRA Implementation and Directs Forest Department to Halt Unverified Eviction Notices

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has designated the Tribal Affairs department as the primary nodal agency to implement the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Following the decision, Minister Javed Ahmed Rana issued a clear directive to the Forest Department prohibiting eviction notices or removals until all claim recognition and verification procedures are fully completed.

What Happened

J&K Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, who holds the portfolios for Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs, announced on August 1, 2026, that the Tribal Affairs department will serve as the nodal agency for implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in place of the Forest Department. He stated that no eviction notices would be served to Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers who have lived on the land for decades, and no occupants will be evicted while claim processing is ongoing.

This policy announcement follows prior friction between the elected government and the Lok Bhavan concerning eviction drives conducted in Jammu’s Sidhra, Raika, Bathindi, and Sunjwan regions. Those drives had sparked protests from BJP legislators, with the elected administration alleging that the Forest Department was operating under the instructions of the Lok Bhavan.

To manage the implementation, a three-member Project Monitoring Unit has been established, and Deputy Commissioners across districts have been instructed to expedite pending FRA cases. Simultaneously, Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather held a public outreach camp in Kanidajan within the Charar-i-Sharief constituency, where local residents raised issues regarding harassment from eviction notices and agricultural disruptions. Rather stated that legal rights would be strictly upheld without tolerating undue harassment, while cautioning that the Act must not be used to justify fresh encroachments on forest or government property.

Key Highlights

• The Tribal Affairs department is now the official nodal agency for FRA 2006 implementation in J&K.
• A three-member Project Monitoring Unit has been formed to oversee implementation processes.
• Deputy Commissioners are instructed to accelerate all pending FRA claims across districts.
• Eviction notices and land removals are suspended until the verification and recognition process is finished.
• According to the 2011 Census, J&K has a Scheduled Tribe population of 12.75 lakh, including 8.10 lakh in Jammu division and 4.64 lakh in Kashmir division.
• Under Section 6 of the FRA, Gram Sabhas act as statutory authorities responsible for receiving, verifying, and mapping claims before making recommendations to Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLC).

Why This Matters

The administrative shift transfers control over FRA execution to the Tribal Affairs department, ensuring that statutory verification channels are strictly followed. Under the official circular, the Gram Sabha serves as the primary statutory body responsible for receiving and scrutinizing individual and community claims, mapping recommended areas, and forwarding recommendations to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee. This framework protects long-term forest occupants from eviction actions while their legal land claims are under official review.

What to Watch Next

Deputy Commissioners will lead district-level efforts to clear pending claims using the established three-tier statutory mechanism involving Gram Sabhas and Sub-Divisional Level Committees. Official implementation will focus on settling legitimate claims while monitoring to prevent unauthorized new encroachments on forest land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which department is now the nodal agency for FRA implementation in J&K?

The Tribal Affairs department has been officially designated as the nodal agency responsible for implementing the Forest Rights Act 2006 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Are forest dwellers allowed to be evicted while their claims are pending?

No. J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana stated that no forest dwellers will be served eviction notices or evicted from occupied forest land until the process of recognition and verification is completed.

What role does the Gram Sabha play under Section 6 of the FRA?

The Gram Sabha is the statutory authority mandated to receive, scrutinize, and verify claims, prepare land maps for recommended claims, and forward its recommendations to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee for final decision-making.

Source: The Hindu