Encroachment by tribals in reserve forest area

Betul, MP, June 10 (UNI) Taking serious note of encorachment by tribals in reserved forest area land and setting up of a village there, forest department officials are chalking out a plan to remove the encroachment.

Forest department sources said tribals had made Bhaura range's Veerangaon Malikheda their home claiming it to be their anscestral land.

Forest officials visited the place and explained to tribals.

However, the latter built their homes during night and started living there. The tribals even dug a well for getting drinking water.

Sub-Divisional Officer (Forest) S S Mehta told UNI here that tribals had built 70 huts in the village.

He said Divisional Forest Officer S K Yadav had visited the concerned village and prepared scheme for removing encroachment.

The forest department had also razed down 10 huts but could not continue the drive because of strong protest by villagers.

Mr Yadav said encroachment would be removed with the help of task force. Encroachment in reserved forest area would not be allowed at any cost.

The forest department was making full eforts to remove encroachment but strong protest by villagers and rainy season had placed obstacle before them.

UNI