**Goa Government to Expedite Forest Rights Claims: Special Camp on June 14**CM Pramod Sawant

Panjim:The Goa government has announced a special initiative to expedite the clearance of pending Forest Rights Claims (FRCs) under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. A special camp will be held on June 14 across all six talukas to address approximately 10,000 outstanding claims. This move aims to ensure that all cases are resolved by the end of the current tenure in December 2025.**Progress So Far**As of now, 871 claims have been successfully disposed of, and 949 have been rejected. The government has set a target to clear all pending cases by December 19, 2025. To facilitate this, the Chief Minister has directed the appointment of additional staff and the organization of special Gram Sabhas. A key Gram Sabha is scheduled for June 21 to address sand-related cases, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all claim categories.**Call for Stakeholder Participation**Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has emphasized the importance of active participation from all stakeholders, including claimants, Forest Rights Committees, and local authorities. He urged claimants to attend the special camp and Gram Sabhas to expedite the verification and approval processes. The government has also appointed a specialized agency to conduct onsite verifications, a crucial step in addressing the backlog. Furthermore, the Forest Rights Committee (FRC) has received a total of 10,136 claims, including 9,758 individual and 378 community claims. Spot verification has been completed for 6,543 claims, with 4,123 approved by Gram Sabhas, 1,958 by the Sub-Divisional Level Committee, and 1,457 by the District Level Committee. The government has distributed 386 titles during the financial year 2023-24, with 20 claims rejected after due process.**Looking Ahead**The government's proactive approach aims to resolve all pending Forest Rights Claims by December 2025, ensuring that rightful claimants receive their due entitlements. This initiative underscores the commitment to upholding the rights of tribals and forest dwellers in Goa.For more information or to participate in the upcoming special camp, claimants are encouraged to contact their respective taluka offices.