 Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 16: In a major drive against encroachment on forest lands, around 5450 kanals of forest land have been retrieved from encroachments during the last six months. Of this encroachments, 3643 kanals of forest lands have been retrieved in Jammu Region and 1798 kanals in Kashmir Region.
In Jammu Region, 648 kanals have been retrieved from Jammu District, 315 kanals from Ramnagar (Udhampur District), 647 kanals from Basholi (Kathua District), 123 kanals from Nowshera (Rajouri District) and 350 kanals from Doda District. In Kashmir Region, 525 kanals from District Anantnag, 600 kanals from Kulgam District and 299 kanals from Shopian District, have been retrieved from the encroachment.
In areas where there is a possibility of re-encroachment, such areas are being fenced with chain link fencing/toe walls and plantation is being undertaken in these areas. The drive will continue in the coming months also.
On the forest lands retrieved from encroachments, demarcation pillars are also being reinstalled. Their GPS coordinates are being taken and digital records are being built. All forest areas vulnerable to encroachments are being mapped and in order to protect such lands, fencing and plantations is being carried out in those areas.
In a meeting taken Governor on 21.07.2018, all Deputy Commissioners were directed to carry out a comprehensive mapping of all encroachments relating to State, Forest and Panchayat lands. In this connection, a high level committee under the chairmanship of Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu had taken series of steps to remove encroachments from Jammu Region and started this drive. An inter-departmental committee was also constituted to give impetus to the drives. During the last two months in Jammu Region alone, 665 kanals of encroached forest land have been retrieved.
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