Workshop on Forest Rights Act held for Chamba officials
A training workshop on the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, was organised on Thursday in Chamba for officials from the revenue and forest departments. The event aimed to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Act among frontline officials. Chamba Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Priyanshu Khati presided over the workshop, which saw the participation of over 50 officials.
The training was organised by the Society for Rural Development and Action (SRDA) in collaboration with the Chamba Forest Rights Forum. Resource persons included Pakash Bhandari, Sumit and Upkar from SRDA, as well as Manoj Kumar and Mohammad Sain from the Chamba Van Adhikar Manch.
Addressing the workshop, SDM Priyanshu Khati, underscored the importance of the Forest Rights Act in recognising the legal rights of forest-dependent communities.
“All officers must diligently carry out their responsibilities under the FRA 2006 to ensure eligible individuals and communities in the Chamba sub-division receive their rightful entitlements. Equally important is spreading awareness about the law among the public,” he said.
Manoj Kumar from the Chamba Van Adhikar Manch spoke about the role field-level officials play in implementing the Act. He highlighted that a major challenge has been the lack of awareness and understanding of the law among implementing officers.
“These training sessions empower Village Revenue Officials and Forest Guards to take proactive role in field verification and legal processes as mandated under the Act,” he explained.
Kumar added the workshop aimed to build capacity among officials to ensure timely and lawful recognition of individual and community forest rights. It also provided a platform for better coordination between departments, fostering improved implementation on the ground.
By strengthening the knowledge of frontline officials, the workshop aims to facilitate more effective and efficient implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Chamba.
Himachal Tribune