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Brinda Karat back green activists, seek withdrawal of letter related to FRA in HP

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Karat urged him to withdraw the circular, citing that it contravenes established rules.

3 min readShimlaApr 16, 2025 07:43 PM IST

BJP lacks faith in itself, wishes to retain power by breaking opposition camp: Brinda Karat

Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat (File Photo)

Senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat on Tuesday supported the Himachal Pradesh environment activists who are demanding the withdrawal of a circular issued by the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) concerning the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Karat urged him to withdraw the circular, citing that it contravenes established rules. She also demanded action against those responsible.

In her letter, Karat asserted that the reference to a Supreme Court case related to the FRA, 2006, in the circular issued by the forest department, is factually incorrect. “The reference to the Supreme Court case in the said circular is misleading, if not a blatant untruth, because there are no guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the case. In other words, the officer in Himachal Pradesh has wrongly cited a pending case in which there are no orders and no question of contempt of court,” she wrote.

Addressing the issue of Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs), she said, “The definition of OTFDs in the Act is clear, as are the rights of tribal communities and the stipulated cut-off dates. The circular attempts to alter the scope of the Act by asserting that ‘claims must be restricted to those who are landless, economically marginalised, and historically forest-dependent—particularly Scheduled Tribes and extremely poor communities truly dependent on forests in remote habitations.’ There is not a single reference in the Act that supports this claim,” she said.

“One of the most neglected aspects of implementation is the recognition of community rights over forest resources,” she said, adding, “The circular’s demand for an ‘ecological impact assessment’ before granting collective rights is a direct challenge to the law and undermines the legal rights of tribal and OTFD communities.”

On April 11, the office of the PCCF, Himachal Pradesh, issued a circular titled ‘Some Critical Issues and Existing Provisions’ pertaining to the Forest Rights Act, 2006. It was addressed to Deputy Commissioners and forest officers across the state. Environmentalists raised serious concerns on Monday, arguing that bureaucratic misconceptions such as those reflected in the circular continue to derail the spirit of the FRA in Himachal Pradesh.

The letter from the PCCF’s office addressed at least seven key points, including a warning that the broad application of OTFD provisions could be risky in the context of Himachal Pradesh. It also highlighted the quasi-judicial nature of the FRA.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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