400 acres of Delhi’s forest robbed by Farmhouses
Precious forests land of Hundreds of acres has been lost to illegal farmhouses. In south Delhi’s Asola-Bhatti wildlife sanctuary, the forest department has found at least 15 sprawling farmhouses and other such structures.
The sanctuary acts as house to more than 250 species of plants, 200 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies and 10 species each of animals including nilgai, mongoose, fox, porcupine, hyena and jackal. The 6,814-acre sanctuary acts as an element of the ecologically-critical Delhi Ridge, whose damage means desertification of Delhi, fall in its water table and more pollution.
As per the department it is just a sample whereas the actual amount of illegal farmhouses could be more than 50. without the permission of National Board for Wildlife headed by the PM, no construction can take place inside a wildlife sanctuary.
More than 400 acres have been wiped out by these luxury homes. About 90 acres each is taken up by two such encroachments. Depending upon the location, An acre of farmhouse land in south Delhi costs around Rs. 6 to Rs. 40 crore.
Sanjeev Kumar, Delhi’s environment secretary told that he has instructed the conservator of forests to act in cases of encroachment. issuing notices, registering cases, eviction and demolition would be some of the actions issued.
Delhi’s lone wildlife sanctuary, In Asola-Bhatti these farmhouses with gates and vast boundary walls also come near to roads, besides electricity and water supplies.
Some prominent citizens, allegedly owned These structures, violate provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 and Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and according to directions of supreme court are liable for eviction.
To establish such farmhouses, years must have been taken but no case was ever lodged. It is high-value land. No land-grab happens without the government’s knowledge, as alleged by Ravi Agrawal, a former member of Delhi’s ridge management board.
Source: Hindustan Times
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