4/6/2017
Early
Times Report
Jammu,
Apr 6: Throwing the standing orders of the Government to winds, ten kanals and
two marlas Forest land has been encroached after mutating the land records by
government officials in favour of politician at village Bhata Dhoorian, Tehsil
Mendhar for last many years. Surprisingly, no official has dared to reclaim the
forest land which is under illegal possession of a Politician.
Pertinently,
the Article 48 of constitution of India says "The State shall Endeavour to
protect and improve the Environment and safeguard Forests". The Article
51-A further says," It will be the duty of every citizen of India to
protect and improve the Natural Environment including Forests, Lakes, Rivers
and Wild-Life and to have compassion for living Creatures.
President
of Pir Panchal Environment and Eco Development Society, MB Mughal approached
Early Times with documents and explained his struggle to save forest land
besides vacating forest land from illegal possession. He said that a part of
forest land under compartment No.155/Mendhar comprising khasra No.764 situated
in Village Bhata Dhoorian, Tehsil Mendhar measuring ten kanals two marlas
enjoying overhead irrigation facilities was being maintained by Forest
Department Poonch as a forest Nursery for raising planting stocks of different
economical species since 1961-62 as vindicated by revenue records.
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Conspiracy!
A
KAS Officer during his posting as SDM Mendhar entered into a criminal
conspiracy with so called local occupant and without NOC from the forest
authorities/knowledge of Tehsildar, mutated the said piece of Forest Land
illegally and without jurisdiction in the name of Sarpanch under the grab of
394/C which is not applicable on forest land at all.
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He
alleged that the patwaris of Revenue Department posted in the area indulged in
recording fake, fictitious and fraudulent Girdawaris secretly in the name of a
local sarpanch so as to entitle the interested party for mutation and ownership
on the basis of so called possession.
The
then DFO Poonch Jagdish Kishwan and then Range Officer Mendhar M.B.Mughal took
up the matter with e then District Development Commissoner Poonch requesting
cancellation of fake, fictitious and fraudulent Girdawaris by Patwari on Forest
land vide his Office Letter No.421-24 Dated 12-08-1985. Subsequently Mughal
informed the higher authorities including Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests and Divisional Commissioner Jammu in writing but despite repeated
requests, they turned a deaf ear toward the issue.
"On
the contrary a KAS Officer during his posting in Mendhar Tehsil as SDM Mendhar
entered into a criminal conspiracy with so called local occupant and without
NOC from the forest authorities/knowledge of Tehsidar, mutated the said piece
of Forest Land illegally and without jurisdiction in the name of Sarpanch under
the grab of 394/C which is not applicable on forest land at all," he
alleged.
He
further alleged that the officer thus changed the status of Forest Land as
state land in possession of a Politician and transferred proprietary Rights
upon the encroacher.
He
and his organization approached the then Minister for Environment and Forest,
Vigilance Commissioner Jammu and the then Chief Minister J&K State for
taking immediate steps regarding cancellation of illegal mutation on forest land,
but disappointed over the working of Government and officials of the concern
department, he stated that only option left with NGO is to seek legal
redressal.
When
contacted, Administrative Officer cum Public Information Officer (PIO) CCF
Jammu, Shamim Kripak said a complaint of above said matter has been received by
the authority. "When the matter was investigated, it was found the said
land falls under Khasra no. 204 which is proprietor land as per revenue
record" he averred.
His
claims were however refuted by AO CCF, Jammu, M B Mughal.
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