Senthil Kumar
Port Blair, July 20: Fresh encroachment in CRZ, by destroying the mangroves and other khadi trees and shrubs, at Bakultala on the bank of the Magar Nalah Bakultala have been detected.
July two weeks back during a press conference the Lt. Governor had ordered to take stringent action to remove fresh encroachment and lodge FIR wherever necessary but at Bakultala authorities are clueless about this encroachment.
The people are unaware of the importance of preserving the Echo system and expanding their landed property. The entire mangroves, Khadi Kajur trees and shrubs have been cleaned up by peoples residing Bakultala Bazar area who have lands adjacent to the high tide line of the Nalah.
The forest beat officials and revenue officials are keeping silence over such illegal encroachment which so vital to prevent soil erosion and prevent rapid incursion of water during a Tsunami like situation.
A senior citizen of the area who is now understood the importance after the 2004 Tsunami has tried to replant the Khadi trees and shrubs but his neighbours have taken a chance to remove his efforts and started encroachment in the forest land.
The senior citizen Namely P.Bhaskaran age 82 years has surrendered his land approximately 10 years ago for Khadi bund to protect the land and soil erosion but unfortunately even the surrendered land also has been encroached by the residents of the area and they have further encroached into the Khadi.
