Haridwar: Van gujjars living in Haridwar forest division who are facing threat of eviction from their dwellings in Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) have asked the government to treat them as “natives of Uttrakhand because they have been living in the region for around 400 years.”Addressing a press conference, representatives of van gujjars blamed the forest department for vandalising their huts without showing any high court order.Van gujjar Shamsher Singh Bhadana said, “Forest department did not show any document before removing our huts. When we wanted to see the order, they vandalised our huts and also registered a case against us. Our rehabilitation matter is pending and the government has issued us van gujjars permits for living in forest areas. We are ready to leave the forest but the government should rehabilitate us properly.”Meanwhile, forest officials denying the allegations said that only 97 permits were issued and the department launched the drive against those who were living there illegally.Haridwar forest division officer Akash Verma said, “It was not an anti-van gujjars’ drive. We acted against those who were living there illegally. The department had issued just 97 permits in Shyampur range but now around 1,200 van gujjar families are living in the area. It is our responsibility to keep the forest area safe.”According to forest officials around 2,000 families are living in Shyampur, Rasiabad, Haridwar and Khanpur ranges of Haridwar forest division.

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