Srinagar, Sep 24 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved 367 claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) during 2025-26, with Poonch district accounting for the highest number of approvals, according to a written reply submitted in the Legislative Assembly.
The reply was furnished by the Department of Tribal Affairs in response to a starred question raised by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay regarding district-wise details of claims/rights recognised and benefits provided to stakeholders under the Forest Rights Act during 2025-26 and the current financial year.
As per the district-wise details accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Poonch recorded 316 approved claims during 2025-26, followed by Kishtwar with 48, Baramulla with two and Shopian with one.
No claims were approved during the period in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Kupwara, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Reasi, Rajouri, Doda and Ramban.
During the current financial year 2026-27, 92 claims have so far been approved, including 86 in Kishtwar and six in Pulwama.
The department stated that the district-wise details of claims/rights recognised and benefits provided to stakeholders, including approved claims under the Forest Rights Act, are enclosed in the annexure.
The total number of approved claims stood at 459 for the two financial years combined, according to the reply—(KNO)