JAMMU: Continuing drive against forest encroachers and forest offenders, the forest officials of Kishtwar Forest Division carried out a major operation against the forest encroachers. Special teams were constituted under direct supervision of DFO Kishtwar for clearing forest encroachment in Kishtwar, Nagseni and Padder areas. 57 kanals of forest land was retrieved from forest encroachers in village Patnazi, Nali, Kither and Binoon located at periphery of compartment No. 13, 15 and 16/K.
89 kanals of forest land was retrieved in village Piyas, Cherji and Bronth falling in compartment No. 1c, 20a and 8a/N of Nagseni Range. Similarly, 221.05 kanals of forest land was retrieved from encroachers in village Garh, Hango-Haloti (Machial) falling under compartment No. 11a and 4b/P of Padder area. A total of 367.05 kanals of forest land encroached by 73 forest encroachers was retrieved and cases against the encroachers were registered under relevant sections of the J&K Forest Act.
Since March, 2015 till date 1344.31 kanal of encroached forest land has so far been retrieved in Kishtwar Forest Division falling in Kishtwar district. The forest officials have been organizing various awareness camps in different parts of the Kishtwar Forest Division to generate awareness among the public.