By Our Staff Reporter
Ramnagar, 23 May: The Forest Department carried out a major eviction drive in the Tumadia Khatta area under the Ampokhara Range of Ramnagar Terai Western Forest Division in Nainital, reclaiming 22 hectares of encroached land yesterday. The operation, conducted with police assistance, resulted in the eviction of 18 families which had allegedly occupied the land illegally.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prakash Arya stated that the encroachers were served prior notices and given sufficient opportunity to present their case. Following the expiry of the deadline, the department took action under legal provisions. Arya also claimed that the families had appealed at the conservator level, but their plea was rejected, granting them an additional 10 days to vacate the premises. When the land was not relinquished within the stipulated time, the authorities had to proceed with the eviction in the presence of police personnel.
On the other hand, the evicted families have termed the action unjust and biased. One of the displaced individuals, Safi, alleged that thousands reside on forest land across the state, yet only they were targeted. He claimed that despite filing an appeal in the High Court on 20 May, the department proceeded with the eviction, ignoring legal proceedings. According to Safi, repeated requests for a fair hearing were overlooked, with the department acting in haste despite the pending court appeal.
Social activists have also intervened, asserting that the area falls under the Forest Rights Act, with both individual and community claims filed in court. They argue that until the claims are adjudicated, eviction remains unlawful.
At the same time, the forest department maintains that the land is designated forest property, rendering any form of occupation automatically illegal. The officials asserted that all necessary legal protocols were followed, and action was taken after reviewing documents submitted to the court.
