Explanation:

Recently, Jammu and Kashmir administration announced its decision to implement  Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights Act), 2006 in the UT.

The move will elevate the socio-economic status of a sizeable section of the 14-lakh-strong population of tribals and nomadic communities, including Gujjar-Bakerwals and Gaddi-Sippis, in the Union Territory.

The Act identifies four types of rights:

Title rights:

It gives Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) the right to ownership to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares.

Ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family and no new lands will be granted.

Use rights:

The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas etc.

Relief and development rights:

To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.

Forest management rights:

 It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.