Aviral Narmada stalls in clash of 16 collectors:State orders removal of encroachments within a 5-kilometre radius along riverbank to restart pending action

The plan to remove encroachments within a 5 km area of the Narmada riverbank in 16 districts has run into trouble. The Forest Department has been given the power to clear these encroachments. But when the DFO asked the Collectors to hold a Task Force meeting and start action, most Collectors did not respond. Some Collectors said the 5 km radius is not clearly defined. They asked under which law or land survey rule this limit is fixed. Tired of waiting, the DFO asked beat guards to start preparing the list on their own. When Dainik Bhaskar contacted all 16 Collectors, 14 refused to comment. Two Collectors said they did not know about this matter. Problem more in tribal districts
There are many tribal villages within a 5 km radius of the Narmada bank in Alirajpur. For these, there are clear government instructions that those who have been occupying since before December 31, 2005, will not be disturbed. But the real problem is with those people who do not have an old lease and are not ready to move. A survey of this has also been conducted. The instructions state that encroachments made after 2005 should be identified using satellite imagery and other technical means. Why the Collector is needed
In September, an order was given that the Forest Department has to remove encroachments, and Collectors have to cooperate. A task force has been formed in the districts, which includes the Collector-SP along with the DFO. When the DFO took this matter to the task force, a clear answer was not received. It is being said that Collectors are not pleased that the DFO can write letters to them. Meanwhile, the DFO says, ‘We did not give an order, we only made a request.’ Encroachment is to be removed by the DFO. For this, task forces have been formed in the districts. DFOs will talk to them. If there is any problem, we will coordinate and get the work done. Jitendra Gupta, SDO, Protection, Forest Action to be taken in these districts Alirajpur, Dhar, Dewas, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Seoni, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Sehore and Harda. Why this action is necessary
Narmada does not originate from a glacier, but receives water from its forest area. Encroachment is destroying the forest area. The ‘Aviral Narmada Abhiyan’ (Uninterrupted Narmada Campaign) has been launched for the rejuvenation of the river. This will involve tree plantation and other works on the banks. For this, it is necessary to remove encroachments.