Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 22: Forest Department today retrieved 23 kanals of land after the same was encroached by five hoteliers and has been under their possession for the last five decades in Pahalgam.
Range Officer, Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Ganai said that the drive was carried out under the direct supervision of DFO Lidder Shiekh Mehraj Ahmad.
He said that during the daylong drive, the team retrieved 23 kanals of forest land from five hoteliers in compartment number 34/L and 35/L.
“It is believed that the land was under illegal possession of the hoteliers for nearly five decades now,” he said.
The department also pressed drones into service which has happened for the first time to oversee and ensure a smooth drive
The officials said that also the department in a joint operation with Wildlife Protection Department retrieved more than 50 kanals of forest land at Aru Pahalgam.
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