Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 25: Over 57,468 kanals of forest land is under 10 residential colonies in Jammu, because of inadequate forest land record, emerging land mafia and poor and damaged revenue records.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in a written reply to an un-starred question by Gagan Bhagat said in Legislative Assembly that residential houses and commercial structures have been constructed on the forest land in these areas.
The reply said the land under Toph Sherkhania, Jagti, Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Sainik Colony, Greater Kailash, Channi Himmat, Channi Rama, Bhatindi and Sidhra comprised of some forest land at some places. Jagti has 26804 kanals and 9 marlas of forest land, Gandhi Nagar 38 kanals and16 Marlas, Sainik colony 2 kanals and 9 marlas, Bathindi 24996 kanals and Sidhra 5626 kanals and 13 marlas.
However, forest land measuring 1455 kanals and 13 marlas has been transferred to Jammu Development Authority in village Rakh Bahu, the reply said.
The Minister said there are many reasons which had led to the violation of the provisions of J&K Forest Act, prohibiting such activities. The reasons included tremendous increase in population in and around Jammu city areas which has caused pressure on forest land for settlement of people.
Forest land is adjacent of expanding city of Jammu, inadequate forest land record, emerging land mafia, poor and damaged revenue records and absence of demarcation on field.
The reply said that there is no Cabinet decision or Government order for regularization of unauthorized colonies on forest land.
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