Curb encroachment on forest land, HC tells DMs

THE ALLAHABAD High Court has directed all district magistrates of the State to take steps so that no person is permitted to illegally occupy or make any construction on land mentioned as forest, pond, water channels, riverbed and water reservoir etc.

THE ALLAHABAD High Court has directed all district magistrates of the State to take steps so that no person is permitted to illegally occupy or make any construction on land mentioned as forest, pond, water channels, riverbed and water reservoir etc.

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Passing this order, Justice SN Srivastava, while taking serious view of illegal occupation of land pertaining to pond etc, directed all district magistrates to establish a cell in each district to look after these matters under their supervision. The court also directed the State Government to issue directions to the DMs to take effective steps in this regard to check illegal and unauthorised possession of land relating to pond etc.

The case will be listed on October 4.

The court passed this order on a writ petition (no- 38910 of 2003) filed by Iqbal Ahmad and others.

The court directed that all DMs shall get the complete report prepared through tehsil authorities after receiving the report from Lekhpal. It must contain three aspects of this issue. The first aspect includes the number of plots of forest, pokhars, water channels, riverbed and water reserve etc. Secondly, it must mention the details of the plot area, if in unauthorised possession and names of those who are found in actual and unauthorised possession. Thirdly, the report must also mention if any area was vacated from unauthorised possession.