Kupwara, July 18 (GNS):The Kamraj Forest Division has intensified its anti-encroachment campaign across Kupwara Range, retrieving approximately 3.5 hectares of illegally occupied forest land during coordinated eviction drives.
Officials told GNS that the operations were conducted in strict adherence to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure at Kathi Ringwad in Compartment No. 122/NL, HQ Block, and at Humandar, Banjar Pati in Manigah Block. Teams of the Forest Protection Force along with field staff participated in the drives.
During the operations, a total of 35 encroachers were evicted and the encroached forest land was reclaimed.
Authorities said the eviction operations are still in progress and further action will be taken strictly in accordance with the SOP to reclaim all remaining encroached forest areas.
The Kamraj Forest Division reiterated its commitment to protecting forest resources, preventing illegal encroachments, and ensuring effective enforcement of forest laws in the interest of environmental conservation and public welfare.(GNS)
