RAIPUR: The alleged encroachment case inside the core area of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve has taken a fresh turn, with 166 accused from Jaitpuri village now claiming that they were not cultivating forest land inside the reserve, but ancestral land outside its limits.
The forest department has rejected the claim, saying it runs contrary to evidence gathered through ISRO CARTOSAT satellite images, GPS survey, drone mapping and ground inspection. The accused are facing action under the Wildlife Protection Act and Indian Forest Act, and their anticipatory bail pleas have already been rejected by the district court.
Technical Analysis Shows Expanding Encroachment
According to tiger reserve officials, technical analysis shows that encroachment inside the Sitanadi core area has expanded continuously since 2011. Around 106 hectares of forest land have been found under illegal occupation.
Recent inspection has also revealed felling of 237 trees, girdling and drying of 574 trees, burning of stumps and further expansion of encroachment into fresh areas. Officials said the damage poses a serious threat to biodiversity and wildlife habitat in the protected core zone.
Accused's Claim Contradicted by Evidence
Forest officials said several accused had earlier admitted in their replies that they did not possess valid ownership documents for the forest land in question. The department said their latest claim of ancestral ownership is an afterthought.
Revenue records obtained from the patwari have revealed that the 166 accused already own around 247 hectares, or nearly 610 acres, of private land in the revenue area. Officials are now examining whether any new properties were acquired through income generated from illegal occupation and use of forest land.
Investigation and Restoration Plans
Tiger reserve officials said the investigation is being conducted on scientific and legal grounds, and all evidence is being examined. The department has also begun planning large-scale restoration work in the damaged core area.
The restoration plan includes water conservation structures, contour trenches, check dams, fencing and plantation of fruit-bearing species to revive the degraded forest patch and secure wildlife habitat.
