From: Bittu Sahgal 
To: Natural History of South Asia - General discussion and research 
Subject: Typical situation in India on World Environment Day!
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This is a Deccan Herald Report
Encroachment of reserve forests: 24 charge sheets filed 
CHIKMAGALUR, June 5 (DHNS)

Forest officials have filed charge sheets in connection with 24 more
cases of encroachment of reserve forests even as the government ordered
that no action be taken against planters accused of encroaching until a
joint survey is held and a comprehensive report submitted.

Meanwhile, high level sources in the forest department confirmed that
the fencing around the estate of state Janata Dal President B L Shankar
has been trimmed. Mr Shankar and his family had been accused of
encroaching into the Tatkola reserve forest area. Survey work has
reportedly revealed that the fencing in the Tatkola forests had been
removed and had been shifted to the original estate area. This new
development has given a curious turn to the whole issue.

It may be recalled that forest officials had filed a case against Mr
Shankar, his father-in-law Kenche Gowda and brother B L Divakar, on
charges of encroaching 32 acres of Tatkola reserve forest land. The
removal of fencing, which is also a punishable offence, has now resulted
in forest officials filing another complaint against the family.

Initial survey shows that as much as 25 acres of land have been
un-fenced and forest officials feel that this might rise to 50
acres also. Cases have been registered against a few influentail
persons, which include Mr Rudraiah, the nephew of Animal
Husbandry Minister B B Ningaiah. Mr Rudraiah is said to have encroached
5 acres of forest land.

By the end of May, 542 cases of encroachment had been filed. Charge
sheets have been filed in connection to 94 cases, where
investigations have been completed, in the Mudigere and Chikmagalur
courts. Fresh charge sheets have been filed in connection with 24 cases.
So far an estimated 4181 acres of forest land has been encroached, of
which 3475 acres have been encroached by planters while small farmers
have encroached 706 acres.

Meanwhile, a joint survey is being conducted by the forest department
officials and the ADLR as directed by the deputy commissioner on the
basis of the government order issued in the wake of the encroachment
dispute. The survey which started on April 13, is still going on.

Besides, the Survey of India team is also conducting a survey to
redefine the boundaries of the Tatkola reserve forest area. The
team, headed by Lieutenant Colonel M V Bhat, has started a theodolite
survey to identify the D- Line (the outer boundaries) of the 2,300 acre
forest.

Meanwhile, the district forest officer has said that the department was
clearing encroachments as per the Karnataka Forest Act 64 (A). He said
the stay order issued by the government had not reached the department.
The department was functioning as per the Supreme Court`s directive and
so there was no question of going against the government order, he
clarified.

APPEAL: Meanwhile, an action committee of planters has decided to appeal
to the court against the Supreme Court`s interim order. Committee
Convenor I B Shankar, treasurer and legal advisor, Advocate Lakshmana
Gowda disclosed this at a press conference here today. The Supreme
Court`s decision had spelt doom to hundreds of families. Demarkation of
'C` and 'D` group land and the forest land was confusing. The forest
department had given wrong information to the court and the whole plot
was hatched by a few officials who wanted to stay put in Chikmagalur,
they alleged. They said that though the government had clearly stated
that no action be taken unless the revenue and forest departments
conduct a joint survey, the forest officer had violated the order.
Charge sheets have been filed in connection with 24 cases in just a span
of two days. The forest department was giving a political colour to the
whole incident, Mr Shankar said.
-- 
Bittu Sahgal,
Editor, Sanctuary Magazine,
602, Maker Chambers V,
Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021

Fax: 022-2874380
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