48 commercial units get notices over misuse of forest land

Jaipur: The forest department has issued notices to 48 commercial establishments allegedly operating on diverted forest land along the 200-foot road stretch between Apex Hospital and the Jagatpura Railway Overbridge (ROB).The action pertains to 0.858 hectares of forest land within the Jhalana-Amagarh Conservation Reserve area, comprising Khasra No. 6 of Chak Dhula village and Khasra Nos. 41/335, 42, and 173 of Bindaika village. The land was diverted in 2009 for the construction of the 200-foot road after obtaining forest clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.“The diverted land was approved exclusively for road construction and cannot be used for any purpose other than that for which forest clearance was granted. At present, construction activities have allegedly been carried out on the land, and portions of it are being used for commercial purposes,” a forest official said.The action follows a complaint submitted by the Nahargarh Forest and Wildlife Protection and Service Committee, which alleged large-scale violations of conditions attached to the forest clearance granted on April 15, 2009. The complaint claimed that several commercial buildings, showrooms, retail outlets, shopping complexes and other business establishments have either been constructed or are under construction on land that was diverted solely for road development.The complainants further alleged that the legal status of the forest land was altered in revenue records and that mandatory plantation requirements along the diverted stretch were not implemented. The complaint called for a detailed investigation into the role of various agencies responsible for monitoring compliance with forest clearance conditions.Forest officials have directed the recipients of the notices to appear before the department within three days and submit documentary evidence of any permission obtained from competent authorities for carrying out construction on the land. They have also been asked to explain the nature of activities being conducted at the site.“Using diverted forest land for purposes other than those approved may amount to a violation of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Failure to respond to the notices could invite further action under the applicable provisions of the law. The department is currently examining the status of the constructions and the allegations raised in the complaint,” an official said.