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Need to take stringent action over Forest land encroachment

Zafar Bhat. Dated: 5/26/2017 2:01:37 PM

ZAFAR BHAT Jammu, May 25 In Jammu Province, despite the demarcation committee, set up by government, for checking the activities of habitual encroachers, there are many forest areas where forest land is illegally encroached by the people. On forest land in Sunjwan, Bathindi, Sidhara, Raika and Tootian de Khoi (Bajalta) areas in Jammu, the habitual encroachers don’t leave any opportunities to illegally occupy the land by one or another reason. Thus, it is duty of concerned officials to deal with encroachments and evictions on forest land. Forest and Police departments has shown callous and careless approach toward removal of encroachments from various areas under forest land, whereas proper fencing has not been done of forest land, while some areas require immediate demarcation to prevent subsequent encroachments which are yet to complete. Notably, the High Court has given guidelines to get the encroached land vacated forcefully with the help of Police department if required, while government’s plans to get the encroached land has not shown any positive results. Therefore, it shows the inefficiency of officials to tackle the problems of encroachments, as it necessitates checking the activities of habitual encroachers. Particularly, there is need to ensure the measures for preventing forest fires in the areas, which can be done by holding awareness camps, especially in vulnerable areas, to seek cooperation of people in preventing the forest fires. Categorically undertaking initiative to massive afforestation drives on vacant urban forest land, moreover adding plantation will make up for the reimbursement caused by deforestation.