31 illegal encroachments in Gulistanpur near Gr.Noida identified by forest officials

Concerned over the rising number of encroachments in forest areas resulting in depleting of forest area and natural habitat for animals, the forest department has decided to initiate a drive to remove such encroachments.

The district forest department in one such survey identified 31 illegal encroachments on the forest land in village Gulistanpur in Greater Noida and nearby areas.

The area, which has been encroached upon, fall under the jurisdiction of the forest department. Shedding light on the work done by the forest department, the District Forest Officer, Gautam Buddh Nagar, H V Girish said, "We have identified 31 illegal encroachments on the forest land in some villages of Greater Noida. The forest department will remove encroachments with the help of administration officials and the police department. Notices will be issued to the encroachers under section 61 of Indian forest act 1927. If defaulters don't comply with the order, strict action will be taken against them". "Soon similar surveys will be conducted in other villages and blocks across Gautam Buddh Nagar district. The land will be freed from the encroachments which will be followed by a plantation of new trees on the land later on," the DFO added.

Earlier, there was a vast forest area in the Gautam Buddh Nagar district but with the increasing urbanisation, the forests have shrunk as they have been illegally encroached by builders. Similar to this, the lakes and ponds in the area have also died down. As a result of which the wildlife in these areas is facing extinction.