In a joint ‘anti-encroachment drive’ carried out on July 10, Forest department personnel along with Wokha district administration and police cleared off around 50 acres of encroached land and dismantled/burnt down 20 farm huts.
According to DIPR report, the drive was in continuation with the efforts to clear encroachment on government purchased lands at Yimparasa, Bhandari and Longayim villages under Wokha district.
During the drive, the joint team also cleared off over 10,000 trees from illegal plantations at the three government purchased lands consisting of Teak, Khonkon, Betelnut and Yongjak trees apart from bananas from around 50 acres of land. The team also destroyed fencings and fishery ponds and illegally paved approach roads by digging trenches. An excavator was engaged to dig trenches over the motorable approach roads, pull down fences and fill the fishery ponds.
Earlier during the day, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Wokha, Zuthunglo Patton briefed the team at the Merapani Forest Range Office. She said that the purpose of the anti-encroachment drive was to protect government purchased lands.
The team said that the illegal activities in and around the same areas would be continuously monitored by concerned authorities to prevent any future encroachment.
Further, the team warned of legal action against anyone found guilty of encroaching on government purchased lands in future.
The joint anti-encroachment team was led by DFO Wokha, SP Wokha, Addl. SP Wokha, SDO(C) Wokha, SDO (C) Bhandari, EAC Bhandari, Asst. Commandant 12 IR camp Merapani, SDPO Bhandari and personnel from Forest department, District administration and Police.