Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the relaxation given to encroachers to vacate forest land and directed the divisional forest officer of Terai East to appear in court on October 12 and explain why he granted them five additional days. According to the Forest Act, while issuing notice to the encroachers, 10 days time is given to vacate government land. DFO Himanshu had given 15 days to the encroachers. Significantly, HC had earlier ordered removal of all encroachments from forest land in the state. A division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, hearing a PIL regarding removal of encroachments from the national highway and land of GB Pant Agricultural University, Pantnagar, told the DFO it appeared he wanted to save the encroachers and gave instructions to PCCF to investigate the matter. District magistrate of US Nagar Uday Raj Singh told the court he has taken all measures to remove encroachments from government land. Some encroachments have been demolished while other encroachers have been issued notices under the Public Premises Act, the DM informed the court. Haldwani resident Amit Pandey had filed a PIL in 2021 against large-scale encroachment on government land and alleged the administration was not taking any action against offenders. The district administration had filed an affidavit in August 2021.We also published the following articles recentlyEncroachments removed from canals, HC toldThe Madras High Court has directed authorities to ensure the maintenance of two water canals in Thenmalai village, Tenkasi district, without any encroachments. The court passed this order while hearing a contempt petition filed by a resident who had previously sought the removal of encroachments and restoration of the canals. The government advocate informed the court that encroachments had been identified and removed, and the canals were being properly maintained. The court closed the contempt petition and instructed authorities to ensure the canals remain free of encroachments.Karnataka forest minister orders special task force to recover encroached forest landThe forest minister of Karnataka, Eshwar B Khandre, has ordered the creation of a dedicated task force to recover encroached forest land in and around Bengaluru Urban district. The task force will consist of officials from various departments, along with subject experts. Khandre expressed dismay over the lack of coordination between forest officials and the Revenue Department, and emphasized the need to protect forest wealth for future generations. He also called for the use of information technology and satellite maps to document changes in land use patterns.Land worth 2cr freed of encroachmentThe district administration in Lucknow, India, has reclaimed over two hectares of government land in an anti-encroachment campaign. The recovered land, located in Bahraura and Gopalpur villages, is valued at over Rs 2.3 crore. The drive successfully freed 0.75 hectares in Bahraura village and 1.25 hectares in Gopalpur village. The campaign aimed to tackle illegal constructions on government land.

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