| Amid lockdown, influential encroach forest land in Uri | | |
Mohammad Faqhir
Early Times Report
Baramulla, May 1: Amid nationwide lock down to contain the spread of Covid-19, a few “influential” people in this north Kashmir district have encroached huge chunk of forest land at Uri Bala. An influential family that is almost having its all members in the government departments have allegedly chopped of the shrubs, herbs, medicinal and other forest plants at their own in the compartment of 59 in Uri Bala village in this frontier area, said sources. Sources said that they have only 2.5 Kannals of land in revenue records, and instead of that they have encroached almost 20-30 kanals of forest land in compartment no 59, near filtration plant in Uri Bala.
Taking advantage of lockdown, on the intervening night of April 28- 29, they axed all the small shrubs, herbal plants of the forest, though they know that they are working in the government departments but they seem least bothered about the law of the land, sources alleged.
They said that almost they have given fence of 30-40 kanals of forest land, and before that they axed scores of small shrubs and other herbal plants with Aari motor (hand wood cutter machine) that is prohibited in the forest areas.
Due to this ecological and environmental disturbances, there remains a threat of land sinking as it has happened in past as well.
The entire incident happened in a broad light where they chopped off the plants, trees and encroached huge chunk of forest land, with no fear of authorities, they have always given damn to the law, sources said.
They informed that locals brought this issue into the notice of the concerned officials , after which police constables and Range officer along with some forest guards visited the spot and took the stock of the situation.
Sources said that, on Apr 30, 2020 an application has been submitted at police station Uri, wherein they have mentioned that the FIR should be lodged against the culprits.
There are many influential people who have encroached the land in Uri town, and the government has taken a serious note of this issue. “Officials have been informed about illegal entries in revenue records,” sources said. |
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