Alternate Kashmir

06/09/2026

The Forest Rights Coalition held a Forest Rights Act awareness programme at Gomal Budwan Panchayat in Karnah, a far-flung tehsil of Kupwara district.

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

Forest rights collation organised Gojari Jirga on Forest Rights Act (FRA) at Village Hutmurah, Anantnag.

People from three local villages, including elders, youth and women, participated actively. The session focused on creating awareness about the Forest Rights Act, community rights, the claim process, and how eligible families can benefit from the provisions of the law.
The awareness session was addressed by DrShaikh Ghulam Rasool Zahid Parwaz Choudhary Faisal Raza Bokda and Mohd Haneef Jatla who encouraged the community to understand, document and claim their legitimate forest rights.

18/08/2026

Anderwan Gram Sabha Clears 550 FRA Claims, Recognises 65 Sq. Km of Community Forest & Pasture

In a significant step towards the democratic recognition of forest rights and community-led conservation, a joint Gram Sabha of Anderwan Panchayat Halqa A, Halqa B and Arhama was held today in Ganderbal to deliberate upon and process claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, covering both Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR).

The Gram Sabha cleared 550 Forest Rights claims and, through a unanimous resolution passed with 100% votes, recognised approximately 65 sq. km of land as Community Pasture and Community Forest, including the newly emerging tourism destination of Mohn-Marg. The decision represents a landmark assertion of the constitutional and statutory role of Gram Sabhas in protecting community rights, forests, pastures and traditional livelihoods.

The proceedings were facilitated and guided by the Forest Rights Coalition–J&K team, with the active assistance of Zahid Parwaz Chowdhury, Convener, Forest Rights Coalition–J&K, and Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder & Chairperson, FRC–J&K.

The programme was coordinated by Arif Kasana, journalist and Member, FRC–J&K, who ensured coordination among the three Panchayats and participants.

Gram Sabha Upholds Community Decision-Making

Welcoming the participants, Haji Barkat Ali, Chairman, Forest Rights Committee (FRC), Anderwan, delivered the welcome address and extended a warm welcome to the representatives and residents of all three Panchayats, as well as the Forest Rights Coalition team. Haji Mohammad Sakhi Khan, along with members of the respective FRCs, actively participated in the proceedings.

Bashir Tedwa presented an overview of the IFR claims and the objectives and significance of the day's Gram Sabha.

Addressing the Gram Sabha, Zahid Parwaz Chowdhury explained in detail the statutory process for conducting a Gram Sabha under the FRA, 2006 and its Rules. He sensitised claimants about the required forms, documentary evidence, supporting documents and other material necessary for filing and substantiating IFR and CFR claims. He also read out the proposed CFR resolutions, which were subsequently adopted unanimously with 100% votes of the Gram Sabha.

“FRA Is a Rights-Based Law, Not a Route for Encroachment” — Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool emphasised that the credibility of the Forest Rights process depends upon truthfulness, transparency and community integrity.

He urged forest-dwelling communities to file only genuine and truthful claims and cautioned against attempts to introduce recent encroachments through the FRA process.

“The Forest Rights Act is meant for genuine and traditional forest dwellers. It must never become a backdoor for recent encroachers. Our communities must protect the integrity of this historic law by being honest, transparent and truthful in every claim.”

Dr Rasool further stressed that recognition of rights must go hand in hand with responsibility for conservation. He called upon the Gram Sabha to protect forests, pastures, water sources and mountain ecosystems for future generations.

He underlined the importance of pastoral communities, observing that:

“Pastoral culture is, by its very nature, climate-resilient. Pastoral communities have historically nurtured and protected mountain ecosystems, forests, pastures and biodiversity. Indigenous rights and conservation are not contradictory—they can and must reinforce each other.”

He urged policymakers and implementing agencies to recognise traditional communities not as obstacles to conservation but as partners and custodians of ecological security.

A Historic Community Conservation Decision

The Gram Sabha's decision to recognise 65 sq. km as Community Pasture and Community Forest is particularly significant in the context of increasing pressure on mountain landscapes, tourism expansion and changing land-use patterns.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K welcomed the community's decision to place community ownership, ecological responsibility and inter-generational conservation at the centre of local development.

The Coalition maintained that the recognition of CFRs should not be viewed merely as an administrative exercise. It is an opportunity to build a new model of community-led conservation, in which traditional knowledge, pastoral livelihoods, biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism can coexist.

The Coalition also emphasised that the decision of the Gram Sabha must be respected as the primary democratic decision-making process envisaged under the FRA, and that no outside agency should undermine or bypass the legally mandated role of the Gram Sabha.

Today's proceedings marked another important milestone in the Forest Rights movement in J&K and became the 33rd CFR Gram Sabha facilitated by the Forest Rights Coalition–J&K.

Among those present were Sajad Kasana, Iliyas Jagal, former Sarpanches of Anderwan A, Anderwan B and Arhama Panchayats, members of the Forest Rights Committees and a large number of local forest-dwelling and pastoral community representatives.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K congratulated the Gram Sabha, FRCs and communities of Anderwan and Arhama for demonstrating that recognition of forest rights, Gram Sabha democracy and ecological conservation can move together as a powerful instrument of community empowerment and climate resilience.

16/08/2026

Global Youth Foundation® (GYF) Felicitated for Excellent Work on Independence Day

Baramulla, August 15: The Global Youth Foundation® (GYF) was felicitated by the District Administration Baramulla for its excellent work and contribution towards community welfare.

The felicitation ceremony was held at Showkat Ali Stadium, Baramulla, on the occasion of Independence Day.

The recognition was presented in appreciation of the Foundation’s continued efforts in social welfare, youth engagement, support to needy families and various community-oriented initiatives.

The Foundation expressed gratitude to the District Administration Baramulla for acknowledging its work, saying the recognition would further encourage its members and volunteers to serve society with greater dedication.

Global Youth Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continue working for the welfare and empowerment of the people of Baramulla.

13/08/2026

GDC Baramulla Hosts Guest Lecture on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education

Baramulla, August 13, 2026. The Department of Psychology, Government Degree College (GDC), Baramulla, organized a guest lecture on “Artificial Intelligence and Learning: Opportunities, Challenges and the Future of Education” to familiarize students and faculty with the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, learning and psychology.
The lecture was delivered by Dr. Tehseen Nazir, Associate Professor, Guidance and Counselling, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Türkiye. The session provided an engaging platform for students and faculty to discuss how AI is changing the way people learn, teach and interact with technology.
Dr. Nazir explained the basic differences between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI and Large Language Models, along with various AI tools commonly used by students. He particularly discussed conversational assistants, writing and language tools, study applications, AI tutors and other emerging technologies.
A major focus of the lecture was the difference between using AI to support learning and allowing AI to do the learning for us. Dr. Nazir emphasized that AI can be useful for explanation, feedback, questioning and reflection, but excessive dependence on AI may reduce the thinking and effort required for meaningful learning.
Connecting AI with psychology, the resource person discussed concepts such as the generation effect, desirable difficulties, illusion of fluency, metacognitive monitoring, self-regulated learning and transfer. Students were encouraged to think critically about not only whether they use AI, but also which parts of the thinking and learning process they hand over to AI.
The lecture also highlighted important concerns related to AI in higher education, including AI literacy, academic integrity, privacy and data protection, automation bias, over-reliance on AI-generated information and responsible academic use of AI.
Particular attention was given to the relevance of AI for psychology and counselling. Dr. Nazir discussed issues related to AI-based companionship, trust, emotional dependence and the use of general AI systems for personal or mental-health concerns. Students were encouraged to recognize the limitations of AI and the continuing importance of professional judgement, ethics, confidentiality and human connection.

Looking ahead, Dr. Nazir highlighted the need to rethink assessment practices, curriculum design and the role of educators in the AI era. He stressed that education should increasingly value reasoning, critical thinking, independent judgement, the learning process and responsible use of technology rather than simply the final product.
The session also highlighted emerging opportunities for psychology graduates in areas such as human–computer interaction, digital mental health, learning science, educational technology, AI safety, behavioural research, ethics, policy, user research and cyberpsychology.
The interactive session provided students and faculty an opportunity to reflect on their own use of AI and consider how the technology can be integrated into education without compromising independent thinking, academic responsibility and human relationships.
The Department of Psychology expressed its gratitude to Dr. Tehseen Nazir for sharing his expertise and for leading an informative and thought-provoking discussion on one of the most important technological developments shaping contemporary education.

13/08/2026

J&K Forest Rights Act: A Significant Step Forward

After years of sustained efforts, Forest Rights Coalition members finally met with Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Forests and Jal Shakti, Javed Rana, to discuss the effective implementation of the **Forest Rights Act (FRA)** in Kashmir.

During the meeting, the coalition presented policy paper to the minister outlining key recommendations for ensuring the effective implementation of FRA and protecting the rights of forest-dependent communities.

Minister Javed Rana appreciated the efforts of the FRA team in working for the rights of forest-dependent communities and raising their voices.

Acting on the recommendations presented by the Forest Rights Coalition, the minister directed officials to review rejected FRA claims. He also called for awareness workshops at the provincial and district levels to educate communities about their forest rights and the provisions of the Forest Rights Act.

The minister further directed that knowledgeable, experienced and FRA-trained individuals should be included in the SDLS and DLCs, so that the scrutiny and verification of claims can become more transparent, fair and effective.

Speaking on the occasion, social activist Dr. Sheikh Ghulam Rasoolstressed that the narrative portraying forest-dependent communities as being against conservation must end.

He said that, in reality, the values of forest and natural resource conservation are deeply rooted in their traditions, culture and moral practices.

The meeting was also attended by social activist Dr. Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Dr. Zahid Parvez, and other members.

These directions can be seen as an important step towards protecting the rights of forest-dependent communities and strengthening the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

Forest rights are not against conservation — empowering communities can be a pathway to conservation.

06/08/2026

Gram Sabha at Waniyaram Adopts Community-Led Forest Conservation, Strengthens Implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006

In a significant step towards empowering forest-dwelling communities and strengthening ecological governance in Jammu & Kashmir, the Forest Rights Coalition – J&K (FRC-J&K) successfully organized a Gram Sabha and Awareness Programme on the Forest Rights Act- 2006 at Waniyaram Kangan on 05 August 2026.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from local villagers, pastoral communities, youth, women, and community leaders, reaffirming their commitment to protecting forests while securing the constitutional rights of traditional forest dwellers.

Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Chairperson & Founder of Forest Rights Coalition–J&K, delivered a comprehensive address on the objectives and provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He emphasized that the Act is not merely a land rights legislation but a transformative conservation law that places forest-dependent communities at the centre of biodiversity protection and sustainable natural resource management.

Dr. Rasool highlighted the vital role of local communities in conserving forests, wildlife, rivers, glaciers, and fragile mountain ecosystems. Referring to the growing climate crisis in the Himalayas, he appealed to the people to completely eliminate plastic and polythene from the Naranag forest landscape and to collectively safeguard pristine water resources, including the Brengi River and the iconic Gangbal Lakes and glaciers. He stressed that tourism must always remain environmentally responsible, ensuring a healthy balance between economic development and ecological conservation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zahid Parwaz Chowdhury explained the procedure for filing Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR) claims. He provided detailed guidance on the functioning and responsibilities of the Forest Rights Committees (FRCs), Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs), and District Level Committees (DLCs), encouraging eligible forest dwellers to participate actively in the implementation process.

Earlier, Bashir Tedwa welcomed the participants, introduced the speakers, and outlined the objectives and agenda of the awareness programme.

A major outcome of the Gram Sabha was the constitution of the Village Forest Rights Committee (FRC). Members of the newly formed committee received practical training on documentation, claim preparation, record maintenance, and community participation, enabling them to effectively implement the Forest Rights Act at the grassroots level.

The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved that:

Forests belong to the traditional forest-dwelling communities, who bear the primary responsibility of conserving and protecting this invaluable natural heritage for future generations.

•Local communities will actively work for the conservation of forests, pastoralism, rivers, biodiversity, wildlife, wetlands, and Himalayan glaciers.

•Preserving the unique pastoral culture and the rich natural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir will remain a collective priority.

•Sustainable and community-led conservation will be promoted alongside responsible tourism to ensure long-term ecological resilience.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K reiterated that genuine forest conservation is only possible when local communities are recognized as equal partners in governance. The Coalition stated that empowering forest dwellers through the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act will strengthen climate resilience, reduce conflicts, protect biodiversity, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

On behalf of the Coalition, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool expressed sincere gratitude to Omar Abdullah for issuing recent directions to accelerate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act and for halting the eviction of eligible forest dwellers. He also thanked the Hon'ble Forest Minister for supporting the effective implementation of the Act across Jammu & Kashmir.

The Coalition further conveyed special appreciation to Mian Mehar Ali for his consistent support, advocacy, and leadership in presenting the Kangan Declaration before the Chief Minister, thereby strengthening the voices of forest-dependent communities.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K reaffirmed its commitment to building a people-centred model of conservation where forests thrive because communities thrive. The Coalition called upon all stakeholders, government institutions, civil society organizations, researchers, and citizens to work together in safeguarding Jammu & Kashmir's forests, rivers, glaciers, biodiversity, and pastoral heritage for generations to come.

Others Who were present, Sajad Kassana (FRC District President Ganderbal),Mr Shareef Paktoon, Arif Kasana Journalist Growing Kashmir

06/08/2026

The Principal DIET Sopore Baramulla chaired a Comprehensive Review cm consultative Meet with all Zonal Educatio Officers (ZEO’s) of District Baramulla to Strengthen Educational Reforms under NEP 2020 Through Enhanced Collaboration.


Sopore, Baramulla: In a significant step towards strengthening educational governance and accelerating the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Sopore, convened a comprehensive high-level review cm consultative meeting with the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of District Baramulla. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Nikhet Mir, Principal, DIET Sopore, and brought together Heads of Departments, District Nodal Officers (DNOs), and academic functionaries to deliberate on key educational priorities and reinforce institutional partnerships for improving learning outcomes across the district.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Nikhet Mir joined by Vice Principal DIET Baramulla, Mr. Ali Mohammad shah, emphasized the urgent need to transition from the Traditional Teaching Model (TTM) to Competency-Based Learning (CBL), as envisioned under NEP 2020. She underscored the importance of strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through effective implementation of Vidya Pravesh, Jadui Pitara, and the National Curriculum Frameworks for the Foundational and School Stages. She called upon schools to engage teachers in regular academic discussions on NEP 2020 and the NCFs, ensuring that policy reforms translate into meaningful classroom practices. Stressing the importance of teacher professional development, she directed that the benefits of in-service training must reach every teacher, achieving complete saturation and measurable classroom impact. She also urged that school-level reports of PARAKH PRS 2024 and the Foundational Learning Study (FLS) be shared with schools to support evidence-based academic planning and targeted interventions.

During the deliberations, Mr. Javaid Ahmad Lone, Head of Department, DIET Sopore, highlighted the need for systematic post-training impact analysis based on classroom observations. He emphasized that teacher training should lead to visible pedagogical transformation and called upon ZEOs to actively support DIET through timely sharing of teacher data, strengthening academic monitoring, and encouraging teachers to implement competency-based pedagogical practices.


District Nodal Officers presented updates on major flagship programmes, including NIPUN Bharat, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), School Safety, Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), Holistic Progress Card (HPC), PM eVIDYA, INSPIRE, inclusive education, and other centrally sponsored initiatives. Speaking on behalf of the NIPUN/FLN/PARAKH PRS/FLS and School Safety programmes, Mr. Rameez Ahmad highlighted the fifth anniversary of the NIPUN Bharat Mission and emphasized that improvements in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) are closely linked to effective implementation of FLN, teacher capacity building, school leadership, assessment reforms, and safe learning environments. Mr. Tanveer Ahmad discussed the strategic importance of Vidya Samiksha Kendra, emphasizing that it is closely monitored at the highest administrative levels. He encouraged to maximize utilization of digital initiatives. Mr. Khursheed Ahmad discussed centrally sponsored initiatives including INSPIRE and Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAS) which is a precursor to many STEM subjects. Mr. Kaisar Ahmad presented the evolving framework of Assessment Reforms under the Holistic Progress Card (HPC). He also highlighted the educational opportunities available through PM eVIDYA, provide quality educational content capable of supplementing classroom instruction. And Mr. Manzoor Ahmad spoke about the need to have an inclusive approach to different groups based on their disability, socio-economic backgrounds or gender.
The Zonal Education Officers shared best practices from their respective zones, including early preparation for PARAKH PRS 2027, dissemination of school performance reports, organization of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) fairs, focused interventions for Grades 3, 6, and 9, and initiatives aimed at improving competency-based learning and learning outcomes. They unanimously expressed their commitment to working closely with DIET and requested more zonal-level capacity-building programmes on NEP 2020, FLN, HPC, and related educational reforms.
The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks by the Principal DIET, a collective pledge to deepen coordination, strengthen teacher education, enhance academic monitoring, promote inclusive and safe schools, and work collaboratively towards building a resilient, learner-centred education system in District Baramulla in alignment with the transformative vision of NEP 2020.

22/07/2026

Jammu & Kashmir Educator's Research Paper Accepted at Prestigious International Conference in New York

Srinagar, July 22: In a significant achievement for the educational and research community of Jammu & Kashmir, noted educator and Fulbright Fellow Mr. Rameez Ahmad Sudhan of Baramulla has had his work accepted following a competitive review process for presentation at the prestigious Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Northeast Regional Conference on Education, Migration, and Displacement, scheduled to be held from November 13–15, 2026 at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA.
The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), one of the world's leading academic associations in the field of education, brings together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from across the globe to deliberate on pressing educational issues.
His work in Education, District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) Baramulla were he is currently serving includes Continous teacher Professional development,developing educational resources, and supporting schools in implementing competency-based learning approaches aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission.
His professional journey reflects a strong belief that education can serve as a powerful instrument for social change, resilience, peace-building, and human development. He strongly believes that Education should not only impart knowledge but also nurture compassion, resilience, safety, and hope among children and communities.
The study is particularly significant because it amplifies the voices of communities that remain underrepresented in global educational discourse. The conference organisers, in their acceptance communication, noted that the event seeks to encourage new scholarship and interdisciplinary dialogue on migration, displacement, and education, while promoting participation from emerging scholars.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sudhan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country & present educational experiences from Jammu & Kashmir on such an international forum. He remarked that the acceptance of the paper represents not only a personal achievement but also recognition of the resilience of students, teachers, and communities. He thanked his office & the department to provide the opportunities of sustained growth & learning that has been a hallmark in National Education Policy - 2020. He said, “The experiences of children and educators in Jammu and Kashmir deserve greater international attention. Education remains a powerful instrument for resilience, peace-building, and hope.”
The acceptance of Mr. Sudhan's research paper at one of the world's most respected forums in comparative and international education marks yet another milestone in Kashmir's growing engagement with global educational scholarship.