Clear encroached forest lands: DC

As per High Court orders, encroachments on government and forest lands should be cleared with immediate affect. Failing on which, the respective Revenue inspectors and Tahsildars will be held responsible, said Deputy Commissioner B S Shekharappa.

He was chairing a meet on the clearance of encroachments on government and forest lands, at Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chikkamagaluru on Tuesday.

He said government lands, lakes, cremation grounds and forest lands have been encroached in the district and around 2755 encroachments are above five and 10 acres. In the district, 30,580 acres of forest land has been encroached so far and as per the HC orders the encroachments need to be cleared, the DC said.

More than 9,000 acres of land has been encroached in Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru on Koppa taluks, the DC said and directed the officials concerned to serve notices to small encroachers and to clear encroachments above 25 acres, in coming weeks.

Excuses such as survey work, rain and the like will not be entertained when it comes to the encroachment clearing work. The circle inspector and surveyors are responsible for the same. Trenches should be dug around the encroached lands after clearance and the lands should be acquired, along with erecting signboards.

The DC said review meet will be held every week regarding the clearance of encroachments.
Divisional officers should monitor the same and must take necessary actions.

While submitting certificate to the court on encroachments, dissimilarities have been spotted in the area of lands. Stern action will be initiated against the submission of certificates with false information.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Manik, Malathipriya, Manjunath, Additional Deputy Commissioner M L Vaishali, Assistant Commissioner R Ramachandra, Tahsildars, Revenue officers and others were present.