Maha farmers form committee to protest Sec 35 of Forest Act

Farmers from Palghar, Raigarh, Ratnagiri and Thane have formed a 'Sangharsh Samiti' to fight for repealing a law under which their land have been classified as 'private forest'.
The farmers alleged that their land have been tagged as 'private forest' and they have to obtain permission from the state forest department to utilise their land.
A representative group of the farmers met here yesterday, and said the 35-member committee, comprising MPs and political leaders, has been formed to fight for repealing Section 35 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
Addressing the gathering, BJP leader Digambar Vishe said, the "draconian" Act has affected around 25,000 farmers, adding, the land they have been cultivating for ages have now been classified as 'private forest'.

BJP's National Council member Om Prakash Sharma, said, the issue needs to be resolved with the abrogation of the said Section of the Act.
"Over six lakh acres of farmers' land have been termed as private forests," he said, adding that they are required to obtain permission from the state forest department to utilise their land.

Citing an order passed by the Supreme Court in 2014, Sharma said, just as the tag of 'private forest' was removed from the land belonging to some petitioning realtors, the same benefit should be extended for the farmers' land as well.
Vishe said a 'Van Parishad' would soon be organised here to discuss the issue and Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar would also be present.

A delegation would then meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to apprise him of the problem and seek relief, he said.
The members of the 'Sangharsh Samiti' include, BJP's National Council member Om Prakash Sharma, senior leader R C Patil, state Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Sawra, besides MPs Kapil Patil and Chintaman Wanga, he said.
Section 35 of the Indian Forest Act applies to the four districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigarh and Ratnagiri in the Konkan region of the state.