Encroachments Over Forest Land Soon After Fire Incidents: MP HC Seek Reply From State Government

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought reply within six weeks from the State government through principal secretary forest department and the chief conservator of forest MP on a PIL for protection of forest land from being encroached upon after incidents of fire.

The PIL demands to remove such encroachments from the forest land in various forest areas across Madhya Pradesh and conduct inquiry into the incidents of fire.

Some miscreants allegedly set on fire the vegetation in forest areas with purpose to clear it and thereupon encroach over the forest land, the petitioner Manish Sharma said.

The State government must take action against persons who are indulged in such act and protect the forest areas from fire, the petitioner said.

The petitioner cited the State-wise data furnished by the Union Minister for Environment in the Lok Sabha on 26/4/2016 in a reply towards a question on encroachments on forest land soon after incidents of fire.

There were 653 incidents of fire in year 2013 in forest areas of Madhya Pradesh,

Similarly there were 534 fire incidents in year 2014, 294 in year 2015 and 2238 incidents particularly in winter season January to March in year 2016.

The petitioner said in Madhya Pradesh there were encroachments on 552570.46 hectares forest land.

Read the petition here.