In a significant step towards recognising the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities, 234 beneficiaries in Kamrup district received Forest Rights Title Deeds under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, at a programme organised in observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada on Wednesday.
Guardian Minister of Kamrup, Ajanta Neog handed over title deeds to beneficiaries at Conference Hall of Integrated District Commissioner’s Office, Amingaon.
Describing Forest Rights Act as important instrument for securing rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities, Minister said that legislation goes beyond recognition of land rights and represents a significant step towards ensuring social security, dignity and justice for families traditionally dependent on forest areas. She reiterated govt’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible beneficiary receives their rightful entitlement and called upon concerned departments to accelerate process of recognition of forest rights and distribution of title deeds, ensuring early completion of pending cases.
Earlier, District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra, in his address, outlined significance of Act and initiatives undertaken by administration towards identifying eligible beneficiaries and facilitating recognition of their rights.
The programme was attended by MLA Hajo-Sualkuchi Prakash Chandra Das, MLA Boko-Chaygaon Raju Mesh. Also present were Additional District Commissioners Biswajit Saikia and Pranjit Kumar Deb, Rangia Co-District Commissioner Nabajit Pathak, Palashbari Co-District Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Kalita and Boko-Chaygaon Co-District Commissioner Priyanshu Bharadwaj. Circle Officers, the Divisional Forest Officer of Kamrup Forest Division, officials of the district administration and Forest Department, and Presidents and Secretaries of the concerned Forest Rights Committees were also present, along with the beneficiaries.