RAUTAHAT, DECEMBER 14
Construction of houses and huts on encroached forest land continues unabated in Rautahat's forest area.
Despite the fast-paced construction of huts on encroached forest land, the authorities concerned have shown apathy to check the unlawful act.
It is learnt that construction of houses and huts has increased on encroached land at Balerikhor jungle in Brindaban Municipality.
Some years ago, the forest was cleared in the name of squatters and a human settlement was set up. The felling of trees continues even as huts are being constructed.
Locals say that the trend of constructing houses and huts in collusion with employees of Baleri Range Post Forest Office under Division Forest Office Chandranigahapur has escalated.
"Concerned authorities are turning a blind eye even though huts are being constructed at the site where Division Forest Office had made a nursery and planted trees," said a local.
More than a dozen new houses have been constructed after clearing the forest at Baleri due to silence on the part of DFO.
Trees are being felled and huts and houses are being constructed at various other places such as Simri, Bholnatar, Hilekhola, Toribari, Magadev Danda, Gaidatar.
"People owning land have encroached the forest land and constructed huts and houses in the name of squatters, which is worrisome," said Nagendra Kurmi.
Division Forest Office, Chandranigahapur Chief Amardev Yadav said his office was having a hard time vacating the encroached land due to political parties' pressure.
Division Forest Office tried to vacate the encroached land at Baleri, but to no avail.
A version of this article appears in the print on December 15, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
