Providing a written reply to a query in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Choubey has admitted that 11 encroachments on forest land have been regularised by the Gujarat government.
The minister specified that the regularised encroachments, done by some industries and individuals were regularised in accordance with the legal provisions. There have been 766 cases of encroachment on forest land reported, he mentioned.
The question was put up by the veteran Congressman and Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil. “The Government of Gujarat has reported that no fine has been imposed by the National Green Tribunal/Supreme Court/High Court in any of the above cases,” the reply stated.
“In order to prevent and control encroachments, the states and Union Territories also take various measures such as demarcation and digitization of forest boundaries, strengthening infrastructure for forest protection, involving fringe area forest communities through Joint Forest Management Committees, Eco Development Committees,” the minister said.
Ministry of Environment and Forest meanwhile has written to state governments and Union Territory administrations to remove encroachments in accordance with the existing laws. It has also directed them to ensure that no further encroachment takes place. Ministry provides financial assistance to the States/Union Territories for the protection and development of Protected Areas.
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