The District Forest Office in Palpa has asked for the assistance of local administration in evicting the settlers who have taken over nearly 200 ropanis (10 ha) of forest land in Jogadamar.

The land, which is under the control of Jamune and Pakhapani community forests, was captured 13 years ago by some families claiming to be flood victims.

The area forest office said there are 13 families living on the land who have so far resisted every eviction effort with the support of some local political parties.

Prem Bahadur Chaudhary of Baldhengadhi Area Forest Office said the local forestry users’ groups too were powerless when it came to reclaiming the encroached forest land. Bhadra Bahadur Thami, the chairman of Jamune Community Forestry Users’ Group, claimed the people living on captured land were also involved in timber smuggling. Since they enjoy political protection, we cannot make them leave the property, he added.

District Forest Officer Dadhi Kandel said the authorities will soon launch an operation to clear the land.

Expelled squatters

retake land

KANCHANPUR: The squatter families, who were driven out from Saalghari forest area in Bhimdatta Municipality of Kanchanpur a month ago, have taken over the land once again. As the forest land once again falls into the hands of encroachers, the concerned authorities have not taken any steps to stop them, the locals claimed.