Shimla: Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi called on Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan on Monday evening and urged him to approve the allotment of Nautor forest land to eligible residents of tribal areas.
He said that soon after assuming office in 2023, the state government had requested the exemption of the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, for Nautor land allotment in tribal areas.
Jagat Singh Negi said that under the provisions of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the authority to approve Nautor forest land lies with the Governor. He requested that the restrictions imposed under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, be withdrawn so that eligible youth and families in tribal and border areas can benefit from land allotment.
The Minister said that the Governor is the guardian of tribal interests and his support would help improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities.
He apprised the Governor that similar exemptions from the Forest Conservation Act were granted in 2014, 2016 and 2018. As a result of the exemption from the act a large number of people in tribal areas got benefitted.
Negi said that limited land ownership in tribal regions has led to unemployment and migration. He said that providing Nautor land is essential for strengthening the local economy and preventing migration from these areas. Under the Nautor land policy, eligible families can be allotted up to 20 bighas of land.
The Governor discussed the matter in detail and assured the Minister that an appropriate decision in this regard would be taken at the earliest.
