Leh: CEC Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Sunday convened a meeting with key stakeholders to thoroughly review the forest revenue records within the Leh district.
The meeting, held at the Council Secretariat’s conference hall, was organized in response to the directives issued by the Supreme Court in the writ petition titled Ashok Kumar Sharma (IFS) & Ors. vs. Union of India.
The meeting was attended by Executive Councillor Ghulam Mehdi; Chief Conservator of Forests Sajjad Hussain Mufti; DC/CEO LAHDC Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve; ACR Leh Shabir Hussain; Feroz Ahmad, SFS, DFO Leh; Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and their representatives; Tehsildar Leh.
During the meeting, Hon’ble CEC Adv Tashi Gyalson underscored the importance of ensuring alignment and clarity in all aspects of forest land documentation, its current usage, and future planning initiatives.
Sajjad Hussain Mufti, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Ladakh, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the current status of forest records, specifically highlighting land designated under forest cover and plantation areas.
He stressed the critical need for validation by competent authorities before the finalization of these records to guarantee both transparency and strict legal compliance.
Discussions also encompassed updates regarding the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023, and its potential ramifications for ongoing and future forest conservation endeavors in the region.
A particular emphasis was placed on the status of unclassed forests within the Khaltse Forest Range, which was identified as a complex issue necessitating further detailed scrutiny.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Shabir Hussain, provided a comprehensive update on the reconciliation status of revenue gardens and reserved forests as of August 2024.
Furthermore, he addressed the Revenue Department’s crucial role in effectively resolving public concerns pertaining to land categorization and the demarcation of forest boundaries.
Concluding the meeting, Chief Executive Councillor Adv Tashi Gyalson directed to proceed to the next stage of verification and emphasized that the matter of unclassed forests required a more in-depth study and instructed officials to schedule a dedicated follow-up meeting to address this specific issue comprehensively.
