{
  "id": 18717,
  "title": "J&K speeds up FRA implementation; warns Forest Dept. against eviction notices",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/j-k-speeds-up-fra-implementation-warns-forest-dept-against-eviction",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-01T21:58:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/jk-speeds-up-fra-implementation-warns-forest-dept-against-eviction-notices/article71295725.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jammu and Kashmir’s Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmed Rana announced on Saturday that the Tribal Affairs department would be responsible for implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, and cautioned against the issuance of eviction notices to forest dwellers without proper procedure. Rana emphasized that forest dwellers, whether part of Scheduled Tribes or traditional forest dwellers, would not be disturbed or evicted from their occupied areas until the recognition and verification process is completed.\n\nThis announcement follows a recent dispute between the Lok Bhavan and the elected government over an eviction drive in Jammu’s Sunjwan, Bathindi, Raika, and Sidhra areas, which sparked protests by BJP legislators accusing the Forest department of operating under Lok Bhavan's direction. Rana stated that the Tribal department, not the Forest department, would be the nodal agency for FRA implementation in J&K, and a three-member Project Monitoring Units was set up to ensure compliance with the act. All deputy commissioners were instructed to expedite pending FRA cases.\n\nAccording to the 2011 Census, J&K has a Scheduled Tribe population of 12.75 lakh, with 8.10 lakh in the Jammu division and 4.64 lakh in the Kashmir division. The government is prioritizing the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and has streamlined the process of receiving, verifying, and settling claims through a three-tier mechanism. The Gram Sabha is tasked with initiating the process, receiving and verifying claims, preparing maps of recommended claims, and forwarding recommendations to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee for further examination and decision.\n\nMeanwhile, J&K Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather addressed villagers' concerns regarding alleged harassment caused by eviction notices from the Forest Department and obstruction of agricultural activities on lands under their possession and cultivation for generations. Rather assured that no one would be allowed to act against the provisions of the FRA, and the rights of eligible beneficiaries would be protected. He warned against any misuse of the act for fresh encroachments and emphasized the need for fair and transparent implementation while safeguarding the rights of genuine beneficiaries.",
  "summary": "The announcement comes months after the Lok Bhavan and the elected government were at loggerheads over the eviction drive in Jammu’s Sunjwan, Bathindi, Raika, and Sidhra areas in Jammu",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}