Encroachments on the rise in Dharamsala

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 16

Encroachments on the forest land in McLeodganj and other areas of Upper Dharamsala like Dharamkot and Bhagsunag are increasing. Already there are 202 cases of encroachments on forest lands registered against the Tibetans residing on the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) road.

After the matter was brought to its notice, the forest department registered an FIR against some Tibetans for raising illegal structure on forest land. Sources here said that many cases of encroachments on forest land and illegal felling of trees on private properties were being brought to the notice of forest and Dharamsala municipal corporation by locals.

Raghav Guleria, a resident of Dharamsala, said he had brought the case of huge deodar trees being dried up by some people on their private land in Dal lake area to the notice of forest authorities. However, nothing much has been done in the matter.

Gazalla, an environment activist, has also submitted a written complaint to forest, MC and district administration regarding violations of forest and MC laws by locals in the McLeodganj area. However, no action has yet been taken on her complaints.

The DFO, Dharamsala, Sanjeev Sharma, when contacted, said 202 cases of forest encroachments were registered against the Tibetans and eviction and demolition orders were passed. However, the matter of demolition of properties has been put on hold due to the intervention of the Union Ministry of External Affairs. The union ministry had halted action against Tibetans on the plea that if the demolitions are carried out a large numbers of Tibetans would become homeless.

The DFO said that in case they make additions on their existing structures cases would be registered against them. A case was recently registered against some Tibetans for raising additional structures on forest land on the TIPA road, he said.

When asked about the complaints of encroachments on forest land by locals, the DFO said that action would be taken as and when the matter was being brought to their notice. If the felling of trees takes place on private lands, the DFO said, that action has to be taken by the MC.

The Dharamsala MC has appointed a Tree Officer to check illegal felling of trees. However, the MC officials lack of support staff and infrastructure to act against complaints of illegal felling of trees in city area. Though the Dharamsala MC was upgraded as corporation in 2015 and eight adjoining villages were added to city area no additional staff has been given to the local body by the state government.