SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued fresh guidelines aimed at balancing forest conservation with the protection of the statutory rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. 07-JK(FST) of 2026, has directed all concerned departments and authorities to strictly follow the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, Indian Forest Act, Wildlife (Protection) Act and applicable environmental laws while dealing with forest land, encroachments and claims over forest rights. However, such verification and demarcation will not affect any claim pending under the Forest Rights Act. The Forest Department has also been directed to extend necessary assistance to Gram Sabhas, Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees involved in the verification and settlement of forest rights claims. Forest Minister Javed Rana said the rights of tribal communities and forest conservation should go hand in hand.