Forest land worth R2 cr freed of illegal possession

Forest land measuring 8 acres and worth R2 crore was freed from the illegal possession of a former sarpanch during a special joint operation launched by forest and police officials on Friday.

Forest land measuring 8 acres and worth R2 crore was freed from the illegal possession of a former sarpanch during a special joint operation launched by forest and police officials on Friday.

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Balwant Singh, a former sarpanch of Madhre village in Ferozepur, had got allotted forest land in his name allegedly with the connivance of revenue officials concerned at Langeana village. When local forest department officials came to know about it, they got the allotment cancelled through a court order. Few weeks ago, when forest officials tried to plant saplings on the land in question, Balwant along with his accomplices manhandled them and did not allow them to take the possession of land. Later, a case was registered against Balwant and others though he continues to be at large.

On Friday, Sanjeev Tiwari, divisional forest officer, and Vibhore Sharma, DSP(H), Ferozepur, along with the police and forest team reached Langeana village.

Forest officials with the help of revenue officials got the demarcation of land done and took the possession of the land and put up boundary pillars.
They would plant 5,000 saplings on the land in question to enhance green area in the vicinity, said Tiwari.

Not only the forest land was being illegally ploughed but also a palatial house was constructed on it, added the DSP.

The forest department had recently taken back possession of 400 acres of land having value of R100 crore, which was encroached for 20 years.