Morung Express News
Kohima | May 27
Following the report of land encroachment on a government acquired forest land under Merapani Forest Range; a team of officials led by the Deputy Commissioner Wokha visited the site to verify the encroached areas on May 24.
Speaking to The Morung Express, DC Wokha, Orenthung Patton said that the encroachment area lies between 7th NAP Coy Post Jentong and Serika village touching the foothill road.
“Some group of people numbering more than hundred with intention to establish a village has cleared big stretch of land” informed Patton. The Forest Department, he said has served notice to the encroachers and they are yet to identify the main culprit.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Wokha informed The Morung Express that while the exact size of the enchroached land has not be ascertained yet, 9 acres of government purchased land has been encroached at Longayim.
In Yimparasa, the DFO said that the encroached land was about 35 hectares, when it was last measured in 2008-09. The DFO added that the area of encroached land may be more now as the encroacher “has been continually defying authority.” In 2018 as well, the person had tried to encroach more land but an order from the ADC prevented this from happening, it was informed.
It may be noted that the DFO, Wokha had issued a public notice cautioning any party or individual from encroaching, selling or buying government owned forest land at Yimparasa, Bhandari and Longayim.
The notice cautioned that strict action would be taken against those involved in such activities.
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