Two officials suspended over encroachment of forest land

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 19

Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain today ordered suspension of two forest range officials for their “failure” to protect the forest land after a large chunk of ridge and forest land was found encroached and illegally occupied by private persons during a surprise inspection.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said now Delhi has an "honest governemnt and all these mafias have thrived due to connivance of both the BJP and the Congress.

An FIR be lodged by the Forest Department against all the encroachers and trespassers for initiation of action as per law including for violation of relevant environment and forest laws, the minister told officials.

Hussain also directed the principal chief conservator of forest to seek explanation of the officers concerned who failed to detect and prevent such large-scale encroachment of forest and ridge land and initiate departmental action against the guilty. The inspection followed after the minister received complaints regarding encroachment of forest and ridge land.

He warned that no instance of encroachment on the forest land will be tolerated by the government and strict action will be taken against not only the encroachers, but also the departmental officers and officials who are found in collusion and connivance with land mafia.

Hussain directed the principal chief conservator to ensure that the land which was vacated from encroachment at the time of inspection is immediately fenced to avoid any encroachment by vested interests.

Some of the recently built structures on the ridge land were noticed by the minister on whose directions they were razed to the ground during the surprise inspection of the forest ridge adjoining Chattarpur Enclave Part-2. The encroachment on ridge land was demolished by removing the illegal structures and large chunk of land was brought back under the possession of the government during the inspection of the minister.

 He said while the government is making every effort to provide clean and fresh air to its citizens, certain vested interests are indulging in illegally occupying forest areas apparently in collusion with departmental officers/officials.