Following repeated complaints by wildlife activists, an inspection team was sent by the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jai Raj to assess the encroachment in the areas of Rajaji National Park. The team did not find any boundary pillars for which the delimitation of the forest area shall be done by Survey of India.
Haridwar based activist, Aditya Sharma had written a letter to the PCCF regarding encroachment in areas of Rajaji near Tibdi crossing, vendor shops and toilet construction near Mansa Devi temple area and shop and building construction near Bhimgoda area. In response to his three letters, the PCCF sent a team led by deputy conservator of forests Kapil Joshi.
The range officer of Mansa Devi forest range, Sharanpal Singh said that the team inspected many areas but boundary pillars were missing at many places from the boundary of the national park. After 1935, no pillars were erected by forest department, said the range officer. The inspection team has stressed on the need for delimitation of the national park for assessing
the actual extent of encroachment on this protected forest area.
However, the complainant Aditya Sharma alleged that the forest officials hid the relevant documents in which the then field director of Rajaji, SP Subudhi had directed that action be taken against encroachment vide letter number 206/PA dated May 5, 2014. Many other relevant details were also kept hidden from the inspection team which proved that legal cases were lodged against encroachers and action demanded by officials, alleged Sharma while he himself showed some photocopies of such cases lodged against encroachers in the areas of Kharkhari beat.