Land sharks are now eyeing for the jungle lands in the district. While illegal occupation of forest land is going unabated with many constructing concrete houses, mafias are selling the land under plotting schemes.
The patches of land under unauthorised occupations are at north side of the NOCCI business park under Remuna block.
However, there are allegations by the local villagers that the district administration was silent on the serious issueTehsildar Remuna Charles Nayak , however, said that after receiving complaints action had been initiated after spot inquiry.“After getting complaints I went to the spot and began an inquiry.
Immediately the concrete construction which was underway was stopped. Further the local RI was asked to measure the land. And after ascertaining kisam of land and encroachment areas, action would be taken," said Nayak.
According to one of the encroachers, G Das , he had been residing on the said patch of land for last 18 years after his father fled to the place abandoning his native flood prone patch at Haldipada.Now about 25 people have encroached the land and erected fencing. Some mafias are selling the forest land by plotting them and trapping gullible people as well, said sources.
The matter was informed to the district Collector as well as the DFO. And the latter too had written to the Tehsildar on the issue but so far, no action was taken.
Other residents adjacent to the forest land said that if the open space (forest land) would be occupied by the encroachers then there would be no space available for holding community functions.