Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 2: State Government today said 16, 41, 544 kanals of land has been encroached by encroachers in Jammu and Kashmir while one serving Minister and another former Minister have encroached forest land in Jammu and Kashmir respectively.
In a written reply to a question of clubbed questions of five legislators including Sofi Yousuf, Vibodh Gupta, Ashok Khajuria, Charanjeet Singh and Ghulam Monga, the Minister incharge Forests said it is a fact that at some places, State land has been illegally encroached by the encroachers.
The Minister said in Jammu Division, a total of 12, 68, 928 kanals of land has been encroached while in Kashmir, a total of 3, 72, 616 kanals of land has been encroached. The Minister said the Forest Department has been taking “effective steps” to retrieve the encroached forest land by following due procedures in this regard.
He said the eviction notices were served upon persons who had encroached the forest land. “Whenever, the issue becomes sub-judice, the cases are properly defended. During 2015-16, seven FIRs have been registered in Jammu province and 14 in Kashmir province against 39 persons…,” the Minister added.
The Government said Animal Husbandry Minister, Abdul Gani Kohli and former Minister Taj Mohiuddin have encroached forest land. The Minister said Kohli has constructed an educational institution in Khasra number 356 about 15 years ago. “However, Revenue Department had submitted its report stating… educational institute falls under Khasra number 264,” said the Minister, adding that the matter is sub-judice now.
The Government said the former Minister, Taj Mohiudin, has encroached 26.20 kanals of forest land in Compartment V-4c Sedev of Shopian Forest Division. The Minister said that Taj was served eviction notices but he filed an appeal in Jammu and Kashmir Special Tribunal Srinagar where the matter is under trial.
The Minister further stated that Hotel Khyber Resorts Gulmarg has encroached approximately one kanal of forest land at Forest while six Patnitop hotels including Hotel Pine View, Hotel Mount Shivalik, Hotel Subash Palace, Hotel Hotel Green Top and Hotel Forest View have also encroached forest land.
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