Another FIR registered over illegal farming in Pong Wetland Sanctuary

The Haripur police station, under the Dehra police district, has registered a second FIR within a fortnight against individuals accused of illegal farming and fencing on Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary land. The latest case was filed following a complaint by Shabhnam, a resident of Guler, who alleged that her husband, Suresh Kumar, was thrashed with sticks by Barjinder Singh and his son Sunny Ranjit Singh on Saturday.

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The accused, who have been cultivating land in the sanctuary for years, allegedly attacked Kumar after Shabhnam reported the illegal activity to the local Wildlife authorities. The incident occurred in the presence of Wildlife field staff. The police conducted a medical examination and booked the accused under Sections 115 and 126 of the BNS.

This comes after a similar incident earlier, where an FIR was registered against Mithu Bhalla, a resident of Guler gram panchayat, for allegedly abusing and threatening Shiv Guleria, a journalist covering protests against illegal cultivation on the sanctuary land. Bhalla was booked under Sections 352 and 351(2) of the BNS. Investigations into both cases are underway, with SP Dehra, Ashok Ratan, assuring legal action.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark 2000 order, prohibited all human activities, including farming, in wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands. Despite this, influential locals have continued illegal cultivation and erected barbed wire fences on the Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary land for years. Protest demonstrations by residents of Guler and Gatuthar gram panchayats have been ongoing to oppose these encroachments.

In late December, Deven Khanna, Legal Aid Counsel appointed by the High Court, conducted a three-day inspection of the sanctuary area to investigate allegations of illegal activity. Wildlife authorities assured him they would remove the barbed fences within days, but fencing remains in areas like Guler, Jalrian, Nandnala, and Haripur. Sarita Devi, Wildlife Range Officer of Nagrota Surian range, stated that notices have been served to the encroachers to remove the fencing.

Locals continue to demand stricter enforcement of laws to protect the sanctuary, urging authorities to address the illegal farming and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives.