KUPWARA, JANUARY 07: A day long Training Programme under Forest Rights Act (FRA) was today conducted under the Chairmanship of District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kupwara, Anshul Garg, here . The programme was aimed at to provide detailed training under FRA 2006 and Rules 2008 to Master Trainers consisting of Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), BDOs, Range Officers and Block Forest Officers.

Speaking at the occasion, the DDC directed the concerned officers to strictly follow the timelines of the training schedule to ensure thorough awareness of the Forest Rights at ground level. He also directed them to incorporate the DDC & BDC members besides PRIs for smooth and proper awareness among the general public. He urged upon the concerned officers to ensure that community rights should be given priority over individual rights while dealing with people at ground level.

The ADC in his speech said that the Master Trainers need to be well versed with the Forest Rights who will have to further impart the training to Panchayat Level Forest Rights Committees and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, DFO Kamraj, Zahid Mughal provided detailed awareness to the participants about the Forest Rights Act and the procedure to deliver the rights on ground.

During the training, the Master Trainers were taught the whole procedure for conducting the training at District and Sub Divisional levels by framing Forest Rights Committees at each level. Besides, a copy of Forest Rights Act was also distributed among the Master Trainers.

Among others, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Bashir Ahmad Bhat and SDM Lolab were also present in the programme.