Shimla, April 19 (UNI) A new political flashpoint is emerging in Himachal Pradesh as the debate over the allotment of mostly non-forest government land in the tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti has intensified.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has flagged the issue to the Central government and Raj Bhavan, stating that the denial of land rights to tribal communities could pose serious national security concerns — drawing a direct link between neglected border settlements and territorial vulnerability.

Speaking to media persons on Friday, the revenue minister said, “The government of India must not ignore the rightful claims of our people on these ancestral lands, especially in border areas. Chinese forces are already occupying parts of Arunachal Pradesh due to similar mistakes made in the past. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes in Himachal.”

At the heart of the issue is the recognition of Nautor land — non-forest lands traditionally used and inhabited by tribal and nomadic communities.

After the recent resolution of disputes related to the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the spotlight has now shifted to non-forest tribal lands that have long been denied formal recognition.

Negi emphasized that habitation in border villages and continued access to pasture lands are not just matters of tribal rights, but strategic imperatives. “The nomadic Gujjar and shepherd communities have been the natural custodians of our borderlands for generations. Their continued presence is vital for India's territorial integrity in remote regions where formal military presence is limited.”