Shimla: In a major win for forest-dependent communities and small farmers in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has agreed to withdraw a controversial directive issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) that had caused confusion in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The withdrawal came after a strong protest led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which staged a three-hour dharna at the Forest Department headquarters in Talland, Shimla. Over 200 CPI(M) workers participated in the demonstration, denouncing the Forest Department’s April 17 suspension letter as an overreach and contrary to the FRA spirit.
Senior leaders including Rakesh Singha, Dr Kuldeep Tanwar, Vijendra Mehra, and Jagat Ram spearheaded the protest. Following talks that continued for more than four hours with the PCCF and other forest officials, the Forest Department agreed to revoke the letter with immediate effect.
“This is a victory for the farmers and forest dwellers of Himachal Pradesh,” said CPI(M) leader Vijendra Mehra. “The order was against the spirit of the FRA, and its withdrawal clears the path for more just and democratic implementation of the Act.”
The CPI(M) criticized the Forest Department for continuing to operate with a colonial mindset, enjoying unaccountable power despite decades of democratic governance. The party asserted that bureaucratic overreach has repeatedly obstructed FRA implementation, especially to the detriment of small and marginal farmers.
With the order now withdrawn, activists hope district-level committees can proceed confidently with recognizing rightful claims under FRA and halt the evictions that had sparked concern across the state.
“This is not just a withdrawal of a letter, it’s a step forward for justice and people’s rights in the hills,” said Dr Tanwar.
