Evict Tibetans from forestland: Residents

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 18

Residents of Rewalsar town on Monday submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking the eviction of Tibetans residing in the area from forestland.

They alleged that Tibetans had encroached upon vast tracts of forestland and tied their banners on trees. They had also engraved stones with Tibetan language.

Laxmender Singh, president of the Mandi Bachao Sangharsh Morcha, said the HC and the NGT had passed orders against encroachment on forestland, but Tibetans near Rewalsar were violating the norms.

“Tibetans have erected their banners on a vast track of the Sarkaghat forest area. Huge boulders falling under Pandav Parvat have also been engraved with Chinese and Tibetan slogans,” he added.

He questioned the functioning of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, the Forest Department and the Irrigation and Public Health Department which had “provided “ water and electricity connections for the convenience of Tibetans in the region.

“We want the eviction of Tibetans from the forest area with immediate effect,” he demanded.

Divisional Forest Officer Suneet Bhardwaj said the matter was already under consideration. “There is a proposal to rehabilitate Tibetans in the region. The final decision is yet to be taken. Action will be taken only after the directions of the state government.