Shimla, May 12 -- Raising serious objections to the proposed implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) in the hill state, the Himachal Forest Regeneration Mission (HIFORM) - an apex organization formed to take up issues related to environment protection and conservation of eco-system - on Sunday warned that it could legitimize forest encroachments and disrupt ecological balance.
Condemning the recent move by Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, HIFORM accused him of misinterpreting the Act's provisions, especially concerning land rights for Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). "There is no clause in the FRA that allows apple orchards on forest land to be regularized under OTFD provisions," said Dr Vijay Singh Thaku...