Daijiworld Media Network – Nainital

Nainital, Dec 8: In a major crackdown on alleged encroachments, the Nainital district administration demolished 52 houses in the Reserve Forest area of Terai West division, Ramnagar Range on Sunday. The exercise began at 5 am with a massive police deployment, and several residents, including women, claimed they were detained and taken to police stations up to 30 km away.

Divisional Forest Officer (Terai West) Prashant Arya said the residents had been issued notices and multiple hearings were conducted before the action. “We have given the residents ample time to prove ownership. This patch of land is part of 200 hectares of forest encroached upon. On Sunday, 25 hectares were cleared, affecting 52 households,” he said.

At least 170 households have received eviction notices, and around 40 families approached the High Court seeking a stay. However, some residents and activists alleged that even properties protected under court orders were demolished. Deepak Tiwari, one of 17 people detained, said his family’s land, supposedly under stay, was cleared, with debris dumped over agricultural fields. Local lawyer Prabhat Dhyani called the action illegal, citing unsettled claims under the Forest Rights Act.

The demolition was carried out with excavators and bulldozers, and entry of media and the public was restricted. Arya claimed many structures had been built in the last 15 years, while villagers maintained that their families had settled in the area decades ago.

The administration stated the action aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of an “encroachment-free Uttarakhand” and protection of forest lands. Police said forces remain deployed to maintain order and are monitoring social media for inflammatory content. The exercise is expected to continue after hearings later this month, with 200 hectares of forest land housing about 700 families under scrutiny.