The entire discourse of Hindu extremists pertaining to land under possession of tribes revolves around the winter pastures of nomades. It's very difficult to digest for a person who have a bit of knowledge of Jammu's settlement history that how an impoverished and marginalised section of society is at the receiving end of communal forces. While politics is done on the land allegedly under possession of nomades, people in power and those doing shadow boxing for them are conveniently ignoring history and an age old cultural practice of nomades of oscillating between summar and winter pastures. t's important to remind the power hungry racists that what they are calling land encroachment is actually a grazing activity acknowledged by parliament by enacting "Scheduled tribes and other Traditional forest Dwellers Act 2006". This Act grants rights to tribes over forest lands. The specific rights extended are summarised as:-
Title rights - i.e. ownership - to land that is being farmed by tribals or forest dwellers as on 13 December 2005, subject to a maximum of 4 hectares; ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family as on that date, meaning that no new lands are granted.
Use rights - to minor forest produce (also including ownership), to grazing areas, to pastoralist routes, etc.
Relief and development rights - to rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement;[15]and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.
Forest management rights - to protect forests and wildlife.
But the above Act was never extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir nor was a separate law enacted in the state to grant rights that are enjoyed by tribes elsewhere in the country. Althought from 2008-2014 Forest Minister in Jammu and Kashmir Govt was prominent Gujjar. In absence of law protecting rights of tribes vested interests indulge in cheap politics over an otherwise non issue.
Those who vioce concerns about land grabbing and encroachments by nomades should have their facts checked. Why is it that only nomadic kullas or a tent is identified for demolition in Jammu province. Is it because he has no one in power corridors to stand for him. Is he targeted because he is a Muslim? But for Kashmiri Muslims he is an illiterate tribe deserviing no protection of law and for their own representative he is not worth spoiling their relations with power corridors. Tribal leaders are tribal only during the period of electoral notification. Once elections are over, vote utility of tribals is also over. After that they become honourable members of one or the other political party trying to build their fortunes.
What stops extremists from putting pressure on authorities incharge of lands of all types to notify forest lands and government lands under occupation of people in the state particularly in Jammu. Why choosing a particular portion, community or area to ignite communal tension among the people. Isn't it possible for land authorities to publish a Gazette mentioning all land under illegal occupation? Or the authorities are a tool in the hands of communal forces to persue their dirty politics. Tribes will welcome a move if such a notification is issued mentioning all land under illegal occupation.
As regards the issue of land used by nomades in Jammu areas, it's imperative to remind the state and the extremists that they don't pitch tents to occupy any land, forest or state, but to graze cattles.
They are called banyaras meaning forest dwellers in search of grazing fields.
Ever since the arrival of Gujjer tribes from central Asia, they have been practicising transhumans , have been a pastoral society whose way of life is based on pastoralism, and is typically nomadic. This has been going on for past more than six hundred years. They shift to alpine pastures during summer located in the zanskar, pirpanchal and lower pirpanchal ranges. But as winter approaches they shift back to their winter pastures located in the lower most range of Himalaya called shivaliks in the foothills of kathua, Jammu, udhampur, poonch and rajouri districts.
Those doing cheap politics may be asked to explain where would they do grazing and rear their cattles if such a dreadful assault is continued on them. Let's join hands to have the logical understanding of the issue and make India a most peaceful and hospitable place to live. Such communal invasion has the effect of charging the already surcharged situation in the country.
"Barbadi-e kha-ro-khas ke liyeh, kiyo barg do dawat detay ho.....
Kiya lala o gul bach ja-yen gay, jab aag lagay gi gulshan Ko...""
Title rights - i.e. ownership - to land that is being farmed by tribals or forest dwellers as on 13 December 2005, subject to a maximum of 4 hectares; ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family as on that date, meaning that no new lands are granted.
Use rights - to minor forest produce (also including ownership), to grazing areas, to pastoralist routes, etc.
Relief and development rights - to rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement;[15]and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.
Forest management rights - to protect forests and wildlife.
But the above Act was never extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir nor was a separate law enacted in the state to grant rights that are enjoyed by tribes elsewhere in the country. Althought from 2008-2014 Forest Minister in Jammu and Kashmir Govt was prominent Gujjar. In absence of law protecting rights of tribes vested interests indulge in cheap politics over an otherwise non issue.
Those who vioce concerns about land grabbing and encroachments by nomades should have their facts checked. Why is it that only nomadic kullas or a tent is identified for demolition in Jammu province. Is it because he has no one in power corridors to stand for him. Is he targeted because he is a Muslim? But for Kashmiri Muslims he is an illiterate tribe deserviing no protection of law and for their own representative he is not worth spoiling their relations with power corridors. Tribal leaders are tribal only during the period of electoral notification. Once elections are over, vote utility of tribals is also over. After that they become honourable members of one or the other political party trying to build their fortunes.
What stops extremists from putting pressure on authorities incharge of lands of all types to notify forest lands and government lands under occupation of people in the state particularly in Jammu. Why choosing a particular portion, community or area to ignite communal tension among the people. Isn't it possible for land authorities to publish a Gazette mentioning all land under illegal occupation? Or the authorities are a tool in the hands of communal forces to persue their dirty politics. Tribes will welcome a move if such a notification is issued mentioning all land under illegal occupation.
As regards the issue of land used by nomades in Jammu areas, it's imperative to remind the state and the extremists that they don't pitch tents to occupy any land, forest or state, but to graze cattles.
They are called banyaras meaning forest dwellers in search of grazing fields.
Ever since the arrival of Gujjer tribes from central Asia, they have been practicising transhumans , have been a pastoral society whose way of life is based on pastoralism, and is typically nomadic. This has been going on for past more than six hundred years. They shift to alpine pastures during summer located in the zanskar, pirpanchal and lower pirpanchal ranges. But as winter approaches they shift back to their winter pastures located in the lower most range of Himalaya called shivaliks in the foothills of kathua, Jammu, udhampur, poonch and rajouri districts.
Those doing cheap politics may be asked to explain where would they do grazing and rear their cattles if such a dreadful assault is continued on them. Let's join hands to have the logical understanding of the issue and make India a most peaceful and hospitable place to live. Such communal invasion has the effect of charging the already surcharged situation in the country.
"Barbadi-e kha-ro-khas ke liyeh, kiyo barg do dawat detay ho.....
Kiya lala o gul bach ja-yen gay, jab aag lagay gi gulshan Ko...""
