Attempting to encroach forest area of about 1.5 acre in Choral forest, a large group of villagers burned down bushes and cleared the area on the weekend. The forest area was set to fire and several bushes were cut off.
Forest department registered a case against the villagers, as pinpointing anyone was not possible. Forest officers had inspected the area and were shocked to find that an area of 1.5 acre was cleared. There have been several encroachment attempts this year by villagers in Indore circle.
The department has prepared an action plan to take strict action against the encroachers. In taking this action, forest department has sought help of the local police.
In Ras Kudiya forest area of the Choral Range, villagers planted explosives to damage some trees. After explosives, the leftovers of trees were cut down.
“Whenever we come across an unusual activity, it becomes a red warning for us of an attempt to encroach,” AK Shrivastava, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), said. He added that the attempt was caught in initial phases.
“This is not a time for sowing seeds, hence, the villagers were just trying to get their hands on additional land and claim patta,” Shrivasatava said. He added that before monsoons, in June-July, encroachments are seen on peak.
“Strict actions will be taken against the encroachers, because MP is already facing a lot of problem because of encroachments on forest land,” Shrivasatava said.
Some sources claim that due to political patronage the villagers have increased encroachment here. In the latest trend among encroachers, most villagers tend to let the women lead the team.
To ensure that villagers don’t take undue advantage of forest teams by putting women forward, forest department intends to bring female staff in forest team. Female police officials will also be called for removal of such attempts in future.
A year ago, the forest department took action to remove encroachment in Choral, where the villagers attacked the forest workers. Aerial firing was also carried out by forest staff to chase away the villagers.
Angry villagers later pelted stones at the Ras Kudiya forest post. Frightened forest workers refused to take up charge at the post.
The department had deployed the staff of Indore for a few days there.
Forest department registered a case against the villagers, as pinpointing anyone was not possible. Forest officers had inspected the area and were shocked to find that an area of 1.5 acre was cleared. There have been several encroachment attempts this year by villagers in Indore circle.
The department has prepared an action plan to take strict action against the encroachers. In taking this action, forest department has sought help of the local police.
In Ras Kudiya forest area of the Choral Range, villagers planted explosives to damage some trees. After explosives, the leftovers of trees were cut down.
“Whenever we come across an unusual activity, it becomes a red warning for us of an attempt to encroach,” AK Shrivastava, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), said. He added that the attempt was caught in initial phases.
“This is not a time for sowing seeds, hence, the villagers were just trying to get their hands on additional land and claim patta,” Shrivasatava said. He added that before monsoons, in June-July, encroachments are seen on peak.
“Strict actions will be taken against the encroachers, because MP is already facing a lot of problem because of encroachments on forest land,” Shrivasatava said.
Some sources claim that due to political patronage the villagers have increased encroachment here. In the latest trend among encroachers, most villagers tend to let the women lead the team.
To ensure that villagers don’t take undue advantage of forest teams by putting women forward, forest department intends to bring female staff in forest team. Female police officials will also be called for removal of such attempts in future.
A year ago, the forest department took action to remove encroachment in Choral, where the villagers attacked the forest workers. Aerial firing was also carried out by forest staff to chase away the villagers.
Angry villagers later pelted stones at the Ras Kudiya forest post. Frightened forest workers refused to take up charge at the post.
The department had deployed the staff of Indore for a few days there.