Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Apr 23: Forest Department in Bhaderwah on Friday foiled a major attempt to encroach a huge chunk of forest land by the mafia at Thanhala Panchayat in Neeru Range of Bhaderwah Forest Division.
According to reports, forest mafia in connivance with local villagers raised 5 mud houses overnight in compartment number 28 of Puneja Block in Neeru Range of Bhaderwah Forest Division to illegally occupy huge chunk of forest land along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate Road.
“On receiving the information about the construction of illegal structures, a joint party of Territorial and Forest Protection Force staff headed by Range officer Shafqat Mehmood Malik demolished 5 mud houses being raised on the encroached land despite tough resistance by the mafia”, informed Chander Shekhar, DFO Bhaderwah.
DFO said that after abrogation of Article 370, central laws have been implemented in J&K including Forest Rights Act but people, who reside near forest are taking it in otherwise and have been found involved in mass encroachment of forest land.
“We are working day in and out amid fear of coronavirus outbreak to protect our forests”, Chander Shekhar said.
FIR under Forest Act has been registered against the accused encroachers and they will be dealt with iron hands under the law, DFO informed.
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