Encroachments removed from forest land

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 6

The Department of Forests today got 53 acres in Mand-Uddowal village and Ladhowal freed from illegal occupation with the help of the police. The officials of Ladhowal and Samrala ranges conducted the operation.

This land would now be developed into a “forest area” in a systematic manner so that it helps save our environment, said the officials.

Under Ludhiana division, around 679 acres, which were under illegal occupation, have been reclaimed. Charanjit Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Ludhiana, said today, the department got 53 acres located at Mand-Uddowal village and Ladhowal freed from illegal occupation. He said the land had been under illegal occupation for a long time. With the efforts of Forests Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, it would now be developed into a “forest area”. Work of planting saplings started on this piece of land today.

He said some persons had encroached on prime chunks of forest land under Ludhiana division for some time. Acting on the directions of the state government, efforts were made to get this land vacated by illegal occupants. Now, 679 acres of prime forest land is free from any kind of encroachment, said Charanjit.

He said the land got freed from illegal occupants included 175 acres in Haider Nagar forest under Mattewara Range, 79 acres in Hadiwal forest, 19 acres in Gopalpur Bulendwal forest, and 2 acres in Salempur forest. Similarly, 147 acres in Kot Umra forest area and 80 acres in Gorsian Khan Mohammad forest in Jagraon range, and 70 acre in Majri forest under Samrala range are free from encroachment.