JAMMU: The J&K Government today said 217 encroachers have grabbed over 50 hectares of forest land at different tourist resorts in the state.
Minister of Forests, Environment and Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh, in a written reply, told the Legislative Assembly that 217 encroachers have grabbed 50.94 hectares of forest land at the tourist resorts.
He said 4,589.66 hectares encroached land has been retrieved from the encroachers last year.
The department has been geared up to end this menace and the eviction of encroachments is being linked to the performance assessment of the officers concerned, the Minister said.
While listing the measures taken to contain deforestation, Singh told the House that licenses have been granted/renewed only to saw mills that “satisfy” the norms prescribed under J&K Wood Based Registration & Regulation Rules. (AGENCIES)
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