Himachal Pradesh withdraws Controversial Forest Rights letter after protests
Photo used for indicative purpose only. source: Internet
Shimla, Apr 18,
In a significant triumph for forest-dependent communities and small-scale farmers, the Himachal Pradesh government has rescinded a contentious directive issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) that had sown confusion regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The reversal followed a robust three-hour demonstration staged by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] at the Forest Department headquarters in Talland, Shimla. Over 200 CPI(M) activists participated, vociferously condemning the Forest Department’s April 17th suspension letter as an overreach that undermined the essence of the FRA.
Key CPI(M) leaders, including Rakesh Singha, Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar, Vijendra Mehra, and Jagat Ram, spearheaded the protest. An intensive dialogue lasting an hour and a half ensued between the protesting leaders and the PCCF along with other senior forest officials. This engagement culminated in the Forest Department’s agreement to immediately withdraw the controversial letter.
“This is a resounding victory for the farmers and forest dwellers of Himachal Pradesh,” declared CPI(M) leader Vijendra Mehra. “The directive ran counter to the spirit of the FRA, and its withdrawal paves the way for a more equitable and democratic execution of the Act.”
The CPI(M) had earlier criticized the Forest Department for allegedly clinging to a colonial-era mindset, wielding unchecked authority reminiscent of British rule despite decades of democratic governance. The party contended that bureaucratic overreach had consistently impeded FRA implementation, particularly to the detriment of marginalized farmers.
With the directive now revoked, activists are optimistic that district-level committees can proceed with greater confidence in recognizing legitimate claims under the FRA, thereby halting evictions that had triggered widespread concern across the state.
“This is more than just the withdrawal of a letter; it represents a significant stride towards justice and the upholding of people’s rights in the hill state,” affirmed Dr. Tanwar. This development offers a renewed sense of hope for the fair and effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Himachal Pradesh.
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For those not familiar with the letter and it’s controversial decrees, a summary recap is balanced journalism.