Notice to Villagers in Dalma Eco-Sensitive Zone Sparks Protests

Forest department clarifies survey notice, assures no houses will be demolished.

Notice issued to 85 villages in the Dalma Forest area has caused panic among residents, leading to protests.

SERAIKELA – After receiving notices from the Forest Department, residents of 85 villages in the Dalma Eco-Sensitive Zone have been in a state of panic, leading to protests and torch rallies against the department.

Villagers have been staging demonstrations at the Sub-Divisional Office, expressing their fears over the possibility of their homes being demolished.

However, Dalma Forest Range Officer Dinesh Chandra clarified that the notice is not for demolishing homes but for conducting a survey.

Chandra explained that the purpose of the survey is to determine how many families live within the Eco-Sensitive Zone.

The survey is part of a broader plan to assess the area for future development activities within the zone.

He emphasized that false rumors about demolitions are being spread, misleading the villagers.

Chandra also mentioned that some politicians are using the issue for their own political gain by turning it into an election topic.

He urged the villagers not to believe in such rumors and assured them that their homes are not under threat.

The situation highlights the growing tension and misinformation surrounding the forest department’s actions in the Dalma region.