Shimla, Oct 1 – Tribal Development and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Thursday that granting land rights to residents of Himachal Pradesh’s tribal areas is key to halting migration and empowering local youth. He highlighted the need for opportunities in land utilisation, such as horticulture, to create sustainable livelihoods.
The state’s land reform laws currently bar non‑agriculturists from acquiring land. Negi noted that the government has requested the Governor’s permission to amend these laws for tribal regions, a request that has been pending for nearly three years. He urged successive Governors to approve the allotment of Nautor forest land to eligible tribal residents.
Under the Nautor land policy, barren government land is allocated to landless individuals for cultivation, with eligible families able to receive up to 20 bighas. Negi stressed that without access to land, residents cannot engage in horticulture or other economic activities that could reduce outmigration.
Employment opportunities in tribal areas are limited and competition for government jobs is rising. To address this, the minister called for increased youth engagement in horticulture and local enterprises. An “Adhikar Yatra” (Rights March) is being organised, starting from Kinnaur and moving through high‑altitude villages in Spiti and Lahaul, to raise awareness of constitutional rights and mobilise support.
Negi said the march may lead to a gherao of the Raj Bhavan and that he will submit a fresh appeal to the Governor. He cited Supreme Court rulings that prevent indefinite withholding of decisions on pending bills and noted that exemptions from the Forest Conservation Act were previously granted in 2014, 2016 and 2018, benefiting many tribal residents.
