NGT, Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, November 14, 2024 directed Collector, Guna and the Tehsildar, Raghogarh, Guna to remove all encroachments from the forest land and hand over the peaceful possession to the Forest Department according to rules and land must be demarcated, identified and protected by a viable means. In-case of non-compliance the Collector, Guna and Tehsildar, Raghogarh, Guna must submit a personal affidavit before the date of listing with the reasons for non-compliance of the orders and to attend the tribunal’s proceeding through video conference on next date (December 4, 2024), so that the matter may be amicably resolved and the state land must be protected according to rules.

Issue raised in the application is violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and encroachment on the forest land in compartment no. 678 of forest of Raghogarh tehsil and district Guna, Madhya Pradesh. It was alleged that some persons have by way of encroaching the land converted it for personal use in violation of environmental rules. The report filed by the joint committee informed the court that in forest range P678 there are cutting of more than 64 trees from January 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023. That there are encroachment of 26.487 hectare of land illegally without any authority and they are being used for cultivation. Further, there are encroachment of more than 7.457 hectare of forest land against which matter has been reported to the appropriate authority for removal of encroachment but nothing has been done. In addition, there is another encroachment on 19.030 hectares of land by 23 persons.

The court was informed that there are various encroachments on the forest land and no action has been taken by the district authorities. The forest department has repeatedly reported the matter to the district administrations.