468 hectares forest encroached in Parsa

Birgunj (Parsa)- A total of 468 hectares of forest area has been encroached upon in the district. The locals have constructed farms and houses in the partnership, community and religious forest areas of the district.

Chief of the Division Forest Office Sunil Kumar Karna said 468 hectares of forest land across Parsa has been encroached upon. “The locals have occupied the partnership and religious forests and constructing their farms and houses”, he said, adding, “The trend of political parties supporting the locals for encroaching upon the forests has caused problems in protecting the forests.

A wrong tradition is being developed to defend the encroached forests at political level”. According to the Division Forest Office, 468.149 hectares of forest land has been invaded in Parsa. A total of 200.70 hectares of forest near Thori rural municipality has been encroached upon. Similarly, 167.68 hectares of Gadimai partnership forest area and 32.47 hectares of forest in Madhuban area have been illegally occupied by the locals.

As informed, 33.20 hectares of Sakhuwapasauni partnership forest and 22.23 hectares of Sabaya partnership forest have been encroached upon. Similarly, 12.06 hectares of Vindhvasini partnership forest has been encroached upon. Office Chief Karna said around 1,500 houses have been constructed in the encroached forests across the district.

“We have not been able to carry out regular monitoring and supervision for the office lacking human resources”, he said, adding, “Efforts are being made to bring back the encroached forests in coordination with the local administration”.