BHADARWAH: Continuing with its policy to remove encroachments from the forest land, officials of Bhadarwah Forest Division removed several illegal structures raised on forest land at Padri meadow (picnic spot) on Bhadarwah – Chamba interstate road.
Led by DFO Bhadarwah T.B Singh and under the supervision of Conservator Chenab Circle M. P Dogra, sleuths of Territorial Forest Wing, on Sunday dismantled four illegally constructed structures at Padri, in Neeru Forest Range of Bhadarwah Forest Division.
“These structures were constructed by the locals and were to be used for commercial purposes during the coming summer season thus spoiling the landscape of Padri where people throng during summer for amusement purpose,” said DFO Bhadarwah T.B Singh.
“There was stiff resistance from the illegal owners of the sheds but the forest staff over powered them,” DFO added.
People hailed the action of Forest Department as otherwise mushrooming of such structures would have come in future also with the result the beauty of this picnic spot would have been spoiled by way of encroachment.
Meanwhile, DFO Bhadarwah has issued strict instructions to the concerned field staff to remain vigilant against any such attempt of encroachment and take prompt and timely action. “Any leniency shown by the field staff shall be dealt with iron hand,” DFO said.
A case under the relevant sections of the Forest Act has been registered against the accused persons.