Telangana: Forest officials thwart attempt to encroach forest land in Kothagudem

Some residents of Gollagudem tried to encroach the forest land at Mutharam beat in Paloncha range, says Forest Divisional Officer

Kothagudem: Forest officials have thwarted an alleged attempt by some individuals to encroach upon a forest land in Mutharam beat in the district.

Forest Divisional Officer S Sujatha in a statement on Tuesday said that some residents of Gollagudem tried to encroach the forest land in compartment number 59 of Mutharam beat in Paloncha range. Cases under forest and police departments were already booked against 17 locals in September 2024 when they tried to encroach upon the forest land and a case in connection with the incident was pending in High Court.

However, the locals again tried to encroach upon the said land on Sunday. The forest officials with help from police chased them away and reclaimed the land. On Tuesday, saplings were planted in the land and the locals were told to stay away from the forest land, Sujatha said.

Stringent action would be taken against those who repeat such acts, the Forest Divisional Officer warned while appealing to the residents of the village to cooperate in protecting forests.