Uttarakhand HC Directs Removal of Encroachments from Govt and Forest Land

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the removal of encroachments from government and forest land along national and state highways, as well as river banks throughout the hill state.

Within four weeks, all district magistrates and divisional forest officers are required to submit their compliance reports.

A bench comprising of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal passed the order after taking suo motu cognizance of a letter from Delhi resident Prabhat Gandhi, highlighting encroachments on the highway from Khutani Mod to Padampuri in Nainital district.

The court emphasized not only removing encroachments but also conducting proper investigations. The compliance report is due within four weeks, and the next hearing is scheduled for September 5, 2023.

Prior to the high court’s order, the district administration had already begun removing encroachments from various locations. During the G-20 summit, encroachments along sidewalks from Rudrapur to Ramnagar were demolished, and over 300 illegal encroachments from enemy property at Metropole Hotel were removed last week.