Joint survey to decide on forest border

The government has announced a joint survey by revenue and forest officials to decide boundaries of forest land. The decision was taken in the wake of pressure from the legislators over eviction of small farmers and tribals from forest land and allegations that forest officials do not allow execution of developmental works in their jurisdiction areas.

Presiding over a meeting chaired by Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimappa, Forest Minister Ramanath Rai said on Tuesday that the government is committed to putting an end to the confusion over revenue and forest land. “The state wants to protect the interest of marginal farmers and also execute the Forest Rights Act that covers the tribal population.”

Rai said a meeting of senior forest officers has been convened to discuss and decide on these issues and also to allot land to eligible tribals.

Revenue Minister V Srinivasa Prasad said that the government favours a joint survey and expressed displeasure over the delay in allotment of ‘C’ and ‘D’ category land and deemed forest for development projects. Thimappa said there are complaints of forcible eviction in the guise of clearing forest encroachment even after the state directed authorities to stop it.