Rampur Bushahr | By Bisheshar Negi.
A one-day awareness workshop was held in Rampur, Shimla district, focusing on the Forest Rights Act, 2006 — a crucial legislation that recognizes the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. The event, organized by the Kisan Bagwan Union Rampur, aimed to educate local communities about their entitlements and empower them to claim their lawful rights over forest land.
Held at the Block Development Office auditorium in Rampur, the workshop witnessed participation from representatives of various panchayats from Rampur and Nankhari blocks. The session provided comprehensive insights into the formation of Forest Rights Committees and the step-by-step process for filing claims under the Act.
Subject expert Bihari Sewagi called upon the participants to expedite the formation of local committees and ensure that all eligible residents file their claims in accordance with the law. He stressed that no rightful claimant should be deprived of traditional forest rights due to lack of awareness or delay in action.
The workshop reinforced the importance of proactive community involvement and urged panchayat leaders to mobilize their villages to take advantage of the provisions of the Forest Rights Act. Timely recognition of forest land rights, it was noted, could significantly improve the socio-economic conditions of forest-dependent communities.
