HARIDWAR: In a significant move against alleged illegal encroachments on protected forest land, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has issued a strict notice to the Hazrat Syed Sultan Shah Dargah in Haridwar. The religious structure is reportedly situated on five bighas of land belonging to the Rajaji National Park.
The site in question is located in a sensitive zone, merely half a kilometer away from prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites such as Har Ki Pauri, Maya Devi, and Mansa Devi temples. Officials stated that the structure stands on reserved forest land, prompting the department to initiate legal proceedings.
15-Day Ultimatum Issued
The Forest Department has pasted a formal notice on the premises, demanding that any individuals or committees claiming ownership of the land produce valid legal documents. The authorities have set a strict deadline of 15 days for the submission of these records at the Haridwar Range Office.
According to the notice, failure to provide valid proof of ownership, rights, or construction permissions within the stipulated period will result in the entire structure being declared illegal. Officials have indicated that once the deadline expires without a satisfactory response, demolition proceedings will commence immediately.
Crackdown on Forest Encroachments
This action aligns with the Pushkar Singh Dhami government’s ongoing campaign against illegal structures on government land. The administration has emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy toward what it terms “land jihad” and unauthorized occupation of forest areas. The government has made it clear that strict action will be taken against anyone obstructing the law.
The Rajaji Tiger Reserve administration is currently conducting a wider survey to identify similar encroachments within its territory. Officials reiterated that religious structures built on forest land without authorization will no longer be tolerated. The move suggests a potential escalation in the state’s “bulldozer model” of enforcement against illegal constructions on protected land.
