Encroached forest area in Attariya reclaimed

By Bhawani Ayer, Godawari (Kailali), May 1: The encroached forest area in Attariya, Kailali has been cleared. Division Forest Office, Kailali, ran a dozer over the encroached area at Chowkidada, Godawari Municipality-3, Attariya, Kailali district today.

Bhim Dhakal, Acting Chief at the Division Forest Office(DFO), Kaillai said that more than five hundred houses and huts have been removed. The campaign will continue to clear houses or huts built by encroaching the forest area and around the East-West highway.

He said, “Houses and huts of those who have been living by illegally building houses and huts around highways and jungle areas will be removed.”

The Sub-Division Forest Office (SDFO), Attariya, has corresponded and did miking to vacant the encroached places some days ago but it fell a deaf ear, so on Monday, dozen were run over the encroached places.

Houses and huts were built illegally in the name of victims of flood and landslide in Chowkidada Women Community Forest some months ago.

The encroached forest area was vacated with two dozers of Godawari Municipality and the efforts of the locals. A large number of forest security officers and Nepal Police were mobilized to vacate the forest area.

According to DFO, Kailali, the houses of those who have been living illegally building houses around the Chowkidada forest area three years ago, have been demolished and the area has been cleared off totally.

Despite the protests of people who have occupied the land of the forest by building houses illegally, DFO, Kailali, ran a dozer to clear the encroached area.  

There was a settlement of the Dalit community in the area. Houses were built by them illegally around the corner of the Eat-West highway, saying that land should be provided to those who do not have land.