VALPOI
The District Level Committee (DLC), North Goa, chaired by Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, recently convened to review claims submitted under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The committee examined a total of 37 claims received from Morlem village in Sattari taluka and took decisions after detailed scrutiny.
Of the 37 claims considered, 26 claims were approved by the committee, granting eligible beneficiaries recognition of their rights under the Forest Rights Act.
The remaining 11 claims were reverted to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) for conducting personal hearings and obtaining additional supporting documents before a final decision is taken.
The Forest Rights Act, 2006, was enacted to recognise and vest forest rights in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in and depending on forest lands for generations.
The Act aims to correct historical injustices and ensure the livelihood and tenure security of forest-dependent communities.
The approval of the claims is expected to provide legal recognition and security to several families in Morlem village, enabling them to continue their traditional livelihood activities while ensuring sustainable management of forest resources.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the progress in processing Forest Rights Act claims and reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
He stated that the administration is working towards ensuring that all genuine claimants receive the benefits provided under the Act through a transparent and fair verification process.
Officials informed that the claims sent back for further verification will be reconsidered after the required documents are submitted and personal hearings are completed.
The district administration has appealed to claimants to cooperate with the verification process to facilitate timely disposal of pending cases.
