An RTI activist alleged that the lands under the Rajaji National Park are being increasingly encroached upon by some, in connivance with a section of the forest department officials.
The RTI activist said he had lodged a complaint to the officials of Rajaji National Park against such encroachments. According to his complaint, two- storey houses have come up on such lands which are being sold for anything between Rs 50,000 to Rs 3,00000 with the senior forest officers being kept in the dark.
Aditya Sharma, the activist who is associated with the People for Animals, said that Kharkhadi beat of Haridwar is seeing such serious developments. "Such houses can easily be spotted from the bridge of the hill- by pass road and police chowki.
While the forest officials said, they have started demolishing such structures what have been demolished so far are just a few tin sheds.
No action is being taken against the park officials who have definitely indulged in such construction within the forest land," he added.
He further said that they had complained to the director and the wild life conservator of the Rajaji national park.
"We hope that things would be thoroughly probed into and action would be taken against the officials who allowed such blatant encroachment of the Reserve's area," Sharma said.
Quizzed over the matter, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jairaj said, "Two days ago we received a complaint and the probe has begun. If the charge is found to have substance the encroachments would be removed and the those guilty of encroachment would be punished according to the law," he said.