Rairakhole: People from neighbouring Jharkahand have been destroying forest, building houses and creating farmlands in forest lands in Sambalpur district.
Though late, the forest department has woken up to this challenge and taken action against the encroachers.
Forest officials have arrested 34 Jharkhand people for allegedly destroying a reserve forest near Taal village under Badbahal range of Rairakhole Forest Division, Wednesday.
Locals were upset over such illegal chopping of trees in reserve forests and growth of human settlements.
“The forest cover has been declining due to this reason, but the forest department was not taking strong action against the encroachers despite complaints,” they fumed.
Reports said, over 50 people from Jharkhand had been clearing acres of forest land to make farmland and houses. Locals informed DFO Ramakant Nayak about it.
Following a directive from the DFO, a team of forest personnel from Reirakhole, Badabahal and Naktideula ranges conducted a raid in the forest.
During the raid, the infiltrators were found clearing the forest and destroying valuable forest produce.
Subsequently, they nabbed 34 persons. Forest officials also seized axes, bows, arrows and catapults from them.
Locals said, people from the neighbouring state have also destroyed hectares of woodland in Chhuaberna, Ratakhandi, Shagadapat, Hiraloi and other adjoining forest areas.
The DFO said officials are keeping a close vigil on the encroachers and strong action will be taken against them. The accused will be produced in court Thursday, he added.
PNN
