Farmers demand implementation of Forest Rights Act in Shimla

Hundreds of members of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, Apple Growers Association and Shimla Citizens’ Forum staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shimla on Tuesday, demanding an immediate halt to the eviction of farmers and full implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

Addressing the protesters, Dr Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, state president of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, condemned the ongoing evictions of small and marginal farmers who, he said, have been cultivating small patches of government land for subsistence due to a lack of adequate employment opportunities. “These are not encroachers but survivors, pushed to the margins by government inaction,” he said.

Dr Tanwar recalled a promise made by the then state government in 2002, which had proposed to regularise up to 20 bighas of land per family upon payment of a nominal Rs 50 fee. Farmers, acting in good faith, submitted official forms—but instead of receiving regularisation, they now face legal action. “This betrayal speaks volumes about how our farmers are treated,” he said.

Criticising successive governments for reneging on electoral promises, including land for housing for the poor, Dr Tanwar demanded that the state immediately convene an all-party meeting and pressure the Centre to amend the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. “Nearly 67 per cent of Himachal’s land is under the Forest Department’s control, leaving the state powerless to allocate land to the landless or those affected by natural disasters,” he explained.

He also urged the state to submit an affidavit in court to stop ongoing evictions and formulate a comprehensive land policy in favour of displaced and landless farmers. The Kisan Sabha announced plans for a larger protest involving farmers and labourers on May 20 to escalate their demands.

Vivek Kashyap, speaking on behalf of the Shimla Citizens’ Forum, highlighted a glaring contradiction in the government’s actions. “Instead of delivering on the promise of 2 biswa of land for the landless, homes built through years of struggle are now being demolished,” he said.

Falma Chauhan, state secretary of the All-India Democratic Women’s Committee, emphasised the need for unity among the poor and marginalised. “The time has come for a large-scale movement in Himachal Pradesh to resist these evictions and demand justice,” she declared.

Himachal Tribune