By Arun Pratap Singh
Kalagarh (Pauri Garhwal), 24 Dec: Acting on the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Pauri district administration finally demolished illegal encroachments on government land here today.
The land, originally leased for the Ram Ganga Hydroelectric Project by the Irrigation Department, was meant to be returned to the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve after the project’s completion. However, much of this land fell into hands of illegal occupants and encroachers and has remained under their possession since the lease expired.
District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan shared that 72 dilapidated structures on the land were identified, and notices were issued to the occupants to vacate. Following announcements and warnings, the administration demolished the abandoned structures today, with further action planned for the remaining encroachments. Chauhan assured that all encroachments would be removed, and the reclaimed land would be restored to the forest.
It may be recalled that the land, adjacent to the Kalagarh gate of Corbett Tiger Reserve, had been occupied by families which had pre-emptively established alternative residences in Uttar Pradesh. Despite prior orders, encroachments persisted due to political resistance. Most of the encroachers allegedly belong to a particular community. Recent social media campaigns to expand illegal structures, including a mosque, have also drawn public and media attention in this region.
A coordinated effort involving administrative officers, police, fire brigades, and heavy machinery ensured the operation’s success. Minor protests by the Bharatiya Kisan Union were quickly addressed.
The district administration is under pressure from the NGT to expedite action, especially after the issue has remained unresolved since 2018. Officials confirmed that hundreds of hectares in Kalagarh remain under illegal occupation. Efforts to remove all encroachments will continue, as per Supreme Court and NGT directives.
The Kalagarh region of District Pauri in Garhwal is adjacent to Nainital district in Kumaon as well as to Afzalgarh district in Uttar Pradesh. It is known to have become a hub for illegal activities, with reports of smuggling and sheltering criminals. Many encroachers maintain properties in Uttar Pradesh while unlawfully occupying government land in Uttarakhand.
