Forest Department Reclaims Encroached Land in Chakradharpur

Boundary Wall Demolished Near Mahatma Gandhi High School

Officials take action to restore forest property leased out by Municipal Council.

JAMSHEDPUR – The Forest Department conducted a demolition operation to remove a boundary wall constructed on encroached land near Mahatma Gandhi High School along the Chakradharpur-Chaibasa main road (NH 75 E).

"We’re reclaiming land that rightfully belongs to the Forest Department," stated Porahat DFO Alok Kumar, who oversaw the operation.

Key Details

The land is officially recorded as Forest Department property in the Khatian.

It’s identified by Khata number 266 and Plot number 229.

Ranger Lalan Oraon and other Forest Department personnel assisted in the operation.

Lease Controversy

In 2019, Municipal Council Chakradharpur leased 872 square feet of this land to Vijay Kumar Sah.

The annual rent was set at Rs 10,464, calculated at Rs 12 per square foot.

Sah had fenced the leased area with the now-demolished boundary wall.

Sources said that this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of land management and the conflicts that can arise between different government bodies over property rights.

According to sources, the Forest Department’s action underscores efforts to protect designated forest lands from unauthorized use or development.

The sources said that the local residents and environmental activists are likely to view this move positively as it preserves public land for its intended purpose.