JOIN USMinister for clearing larger encroachments first
Eviction of encroachment on forest land and recurrence of man-animal conflict in the region was discussed at length, during a review meeting of the forest divisions of Mysuru Circle, here, on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister B Ramanath Rai.
During the meeting, Chief Conservator of Forests B M Parameshwar informed that 1,636 families have encroached upon 2,062 hectares of forest land after 1978, and 187 families had encroached on 210 hectares of forest land before 1978. Of the cases, encroachment on 504 acres by 41 families has been cleared under Mysuru, Hunsur and Mandya divisions, he said. Most of the encroachments were below three acres of land and only seven cases of encroachment was above ten acres in the Circle.
The minister instructed the officials to clear encroachments which were more than three acres initially and clear smaller encroachments subsequently. This would reduce public pressure on the department, as people have been complaining that the department was targeting only small encroachments. “All encroachments, which is more than three acres should be cleared, as per the directions of the High Court,” he said.
Officials from Mandya and Hunsur said, even though some encroachments were more than three acres, records of the land has now been divided among the offsprings of the encroachers. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Luthra said, the extent of encroachment was based on the notices served to encroachers and did not depend on the subsequent fragmentation of lands. So, officials should only consider the notices served by the department as the basis to clear encroachments.
Man-animal conflict
As on February 19, a total of 1,549 cases of man-animal conflict has been reported in the Circle, which is a hotspot of conflict. Compensation amount of Rs 44.8 lakh has been distributed in connection with the cases.
During the period, 1,361 cases of crop raids (compensation amount Rs 27.69 lakh), 147 cases of cattle death (Rs 6.15 lakh), two human deaths (Rs 10 lakh) and 10 other cases of conflict has been reported in the Circle.
Director of Nagarahole National Park R Gokul urged the minister to revise compensation amounts in case of cattle death. While cattle death is compensated at Rs 10,000, this amount has been contended to be unreasonable in some cases by villagers, who vent their ire against department staff. Therefore, compensating cattle deaths, based on the breed of the cattle, will be beneficial, he said. The minister promised to look into the issue.
RTC mutation
Even though some reserve forests have been declared in the region, about five to six decades ago, the process of RTC mutation of property inside the reserves, is yet to be complete.
Parameshwar said, mutation of only 87 per cent of RTCs inside the reserves were complete. There is a delay by the Revenue department in completing the process. Moreover, Revenue department has also granted lands inside reserves, he said.
Deemed forest
It was noted that there has been discrepancies in the extent of deemed forest in the region, as a survey by expert committee and joint survey by Revenue and Forest departments showed different figures. Officials said, the joint survey was not yet complete.
Rai said, there has been an extension of six months to complete the survey of deemed forests and the survey had to be completed by March.