Forest eviction delayed again
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Voicing strong disapproval over repeated inaction by authorities, the Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal has questioned the Forest and Revenue Departments for failing to act on long-standing illegal encroachments on forest land in Hari village, despite multiple judicial orders dating back to 2017.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, the Division Bench expressed displeasure that despite a detailed directive issued recently on April 30, 2025, no effective ground action had been taken.
The PIL, filed by the inhabitants of village Hari, seeks direction to the authorities to initiate eviction proceedings against those who have illegally occupied forest land in Compartment 51-A, falling within Surankote tehsil.
As per the submissions made during the August 7 proceedings, a joint eviction drive scheduled for July 21, 2025, was aborted due to public resistance. An affidavit submitted by the Divisional Forest Officer, Poonch revealed that a large group of men and women obstructed the eviction team at the site, forcing officials to suspend the operation.
The affidavit further stated that the Range Officer, Surankote, has since approached the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Surankote, seeking the deployment of adequate CRPF and lady police personnel to ensure law and order during future eviction efforts.
Taking serious note of the delay, the High Court reminded all present officers that the matter pertains to public interest and has remained pending for over eight years. It was only after the virtual appearance of senior officials, including the Chief Conservator of Forests (Jammu), SSP Poonch, SDM Surankote and DFO Poonch that a two-week deferment was sought by the Forest Department to coordinate action with police forces.
Granting this final opportunity, the Bench adjourned the matter to August 25, 2025, with a clear direction to file a compliance report indicating concrete progress on the eviction of encroachers.
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