As the world observes World Environment Day and efforts intensify to expand green cover and protect the environment, nearly 200 to 250 acres of forest land in Ludhiana district remain outside the Forest Department’s possession. This situation continues to delay crucial afforestation plans in the region.
Land Parcels Still Awaiting Transfer
Despite repeated requests made to the concerned authorities, several chunks of land spread across different areas of the district are either under encroachment or await formal transfer to the Forest Department. Environmentalist Col Jasjit Singh Gill highlighted that the Forest Department has already written to the district administration seeking demarcation of the land that legally belongs to it.
“The department has already won cases against village panchayats and individual encroachers. The only pending step is demarcation and handing over possession of the land to the Forest Department. Once this is done, the department can further develop forested areas and expand the green cover, which would greatly benefit the environment,” said Col Gill.
Details of Land Parcels
According to available information, the land parcels awaiting transfer are located in Khera Bet-I, Khera Bet-II, Kot Umra, and Gorsian Khan Mohammad villages. In Kot Umra, the Forest Department won 22 cases, and around 50 acres of land are yet to be restored to it. Similarly, in Gorsian Khan Mohammad, the department succeeded in 45 cases, involving nearly 167 acres of land that are to be returned.
Besides these, about 79 acres in Khera Bet-I and 154 acres in Khera Bet-II are also awaiting transfer. A substantial portion of this land is allegedly under illegal occupation. Forest officials maintain that once these parcels are demarcated and formally handed over, the department will be able to undertake plantation drives and significantly increase the district’s green cover.
Official Response
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said he had directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Jagraon) to examine the matter on priority. “It is currently the paddy sowing season and field activity is at its peak. The demarcation process will be carried out as soon as possible so that the land can be handed back to the Forest Department,” said the Deputy Commissioner.
