Authorities at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) initiated a major eviction drive to reclaim 202 hectares of forest land that has been under illegal occupation for decades. The land is part of an 813.17-hectare reserve forest transferred from the Shahjahanpur forest division to the PTR buffer zone in 2019.
Background of the Encroachment
PTR Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh stated that the encroachments existed long before the land was officially handed over to the reserve. The affected land is located in Nabadia Banki, Gahluiya, Fagunai, and Barabari villages under Puvayan tehsil in Shahjahanpur district.
Demarcation and Eviction Process
A joint team from the revenue department and PTR conducted a demarcation of the land in February 2024 based on official revenue records. After marking the area and obtaining approval from senior forest officials, eviction actions commenced on Monday amid protests from farmers.
According to Singh, approximately 26 hectares have been cleared so far, and operations will continue until the entire encroached area is reclaimed.
Plans for Reclaimed Land
Rohilkhand Zone Chief Conservator PP Singh announced that medicinal tree species would be planted on the reclaimed land during the upcoming monsoon season, depending on soil quality, groundwater levels, and waterlogging conditions.
Farmers' Grievances
Affected farmers claimed that their families were rehabilitated on the land after migrating from Pakistan during the Partition, but ownership rights were never granted by the government. They alleged that no official or legal notices were served before the eviction drive began.
“Either give us legal ownership of the land we have cultivated for generations or send us back to Pakistan,” the protesting farmers said.
