10L acres of forest land under threat

Telangana government’s move to grant forest land rights is posing a grave threat to lakhs of acres of forest land in the state. There is a spurt in fresh encroachments and conflict between foresters and Guttikoyas.

- U.Sudhakarreddy @timesgroup.com

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Hyderabad: Telangana government’s move to grant forest land rights ahead of an election year is posing a grave threat to lakhs of acres of forest land in the state.

The tribal welfare department with the help of forest and revenue departments is currently doing a massive exercise to grant forest rights to the encroachers, which resulted in a spurt in fresh encroachments and conflict between foresters and Gutti Koya tribals and non-tribals as well.

Out of 11.5 lakh acres of forest land applications filed, only 1.6 lakh acres of encroachment before 2005 is eligible for the rights. Whereas 5.6 lakh acres encroached after 2005 and as per the Act, is ineligible for the rights.