Dept to categorise encroachers according to threat perception

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 21

Facing repeated attacks by land mafia, the Forest Department has decided to categorise encroachers according to threat perception during the conduct of anti-encroachment drive. The department will label them as easy, difficult and very difficult ahead of acting against them to ensure adequate police protection.

There have been number of cases when encroachers of forest land have attacked the officials and thwarted attempts to evict them from forest areas leading to law and order situation.

Directions were passed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, Mohit Gera while chairing a review meeting of officials to check the progress of various schemes of the department in Jammu province.

“Demarcation and Digitisation should be complete in four years and officials concerned should expedite digitisation of records,” said Gera.

The meeting was attended by Sameer Bharti, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Samuel Changkija, Conservator of Forests, East Circle, B Mohan Dass, Conservator of Forests, West Circle, Sat Paul, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, other senior Officers and DFOs of Jammu province.

Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been directed to carry out regular monitoring and surprise checks of plantations and third party monitoring of CAMPA works will also be initiated soon.

“The DFOs should regularly tour their forest areas and tour diaries of each month should be regularly submitted to the higher authorities,” said Gera.

The Conservator of Forests, East Circle, said formats had been prepared for identifying sensitive compartments and carry out protection work.