Image Source: TRIBUNE

Within days after the government had ordered expunging illegal entries of forest and state land, the authorities have identified nearly 13,000 hectors of forest land-illegally encroached by “influential persons”.

Those who have illegally occupied the forest land included former ministers, ex-law makers and officers/officials of the police and civil departments.

Following reports of encroachment of huge chunk of forest land in J&K, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, had recently instructed all Deputy Commissioners to have the audit of their revenue record conducted and illegal entries upon forest land, state land and Kah-Charai land besides lands reserved for fodder purposes (gair mumkin jad) be expunged from the revenue record and same is being closely monitored at regular intervals.