Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Jan: The district administration has launched a stringent demolition drive against illegal encroachments on government land, on the direction of District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) (Justice) Kumkum Joshi today led a joint team of Revenue and Forest Department officials in the operation. The administration claims to have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments, illegal plotting and occupation of forest land, and has initiated a sustained enforcement campaign across the district. All the departments concerned have been directed to take coordinated action to reclaim government and forest lands from unauthorised occupation.
The DM emphasised that no illegal occupation, construction or misuse of government land would be tolerated and that regular drives would continue. He asserted that strict departmental and legal action awaits any officer, employee or person found colluding in encroachment cases. The administration also targeted illegal plotting without approved layouts or regulatory compliance, launching an intensive verification drive to curb such violations. Demolition of unauthorised plots will accompany legal penalties for offenders.
Taking serious note of encroachments on forest land due to perceived lapses by the Forest Department, the administration began a comprehensive demolition campaign. It was stated that the drive would continue with full administrative and legal support to liberate forest and departmental properties. The targeted land, recorded under Khata-Khatouni number 254, Khasra number 949(ka) spanning 1.3700 hectares, belongs to the Forest Department and remains protected. Despite restrictions in force on construction, occupation or use, certain persons flouted rules to damage the land and erect illegal structures and pathways, which the administration demolished forthwith.
Further action addressed land in PO Ghangora, Mauza Bisht Gaon, Pargana Pachwadun, Tehsil and District Dehradun, including Khasra number 986 covering 0.1700 hectares (recorded as jungle/shrub land) and Khasra number 949(ka) spanning 0.3700 hectares (under Forest Department). Coordination among Revenue, Forest, Municipal Corporation/Municipality and the Police departments facilitated effective enforcement. The administration appealed to the public to report illegal occupations and plotting for prompt intervention.
Adjacent private land belonging to Scheduled Caste people also faced scrutiny after reports emerged of illegal plotting for sale. Investigations revealed no valid access route, prompting encroachers to occupy forest land under Khasra number 949(ka) and build a concrete road in violation of law. The administration demolished this illegal road, reclaiming the forest land.
The DM also warned of severe action against law-breakers, prioritising public interest, environmental protection and security of government properties. He added that negligence or collusion at any level would be tolerated. No encroachments, illegal plotting, or constructions on forest land, shrub land, or other government properties will be permitted. Bansal asserted that future violations will trigger rigorous punitive and legal proceedings. He also advised the citizens to verify revenue records before transactions and report irregularities to safeguard government and forest areas.
