The Sikkim government’s proposal to regularize pre-1980 settlements of traditional forest workers, known as Taungyadars, is currently awaiting further information requested by the central government. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the environment ministry considered the plan, which involves the diversion of approximately 57 hectares of reserved forest land to establish revenue villages. The Taungyadari system, a traditional forest management practice from Sikkim’s pre-merger era, involved families cultivating forest patches and performing caretaking duties, including planting saplings and guarding against fires and illegal felling. Sikkim authorities assert that these are not encroachments but legitimate settlements established under past forest department supervision. The land in question is classified as reserved forest with low canopy density. Recommendations have included proper fencing of forest boundaries to prevent future encroachments and maintaining the reserved forest status. In response, the Sikkim government has proposed compensatory afforestation over 28.78 hectares in designated reserve forest and khasmal areas.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sikkim/sikkim-plan-to-recognise-traditional-forest-caretakers-awaits-clearance-from-centre/article70154387.ece