Jul 27, Kathmandu- In Siraha, the forest office has demolished the houses built by people encroaching on the forest under political protection. The houses and tents built by trespassing two hectares of natural community Jowaha forest in Naraha Rural Municipality 3 Jowaha of Siraha were demolished today by the division forest office Lahan.

Sujit Kumar Jha, chief officer of Division Forest Office, Siraha, informed that the concrete and thatched houses of five families who have been operating liquor shops by encroaching on forest land for years under political protection have been demolished according to law.

According to the Forest officials, with the help of community forest officials and other security personnel, the houses were evacuated and demolished with dozers.

Chief Jha stated that the forest office had to use force today after it refused to clear the land despite repeated written notices. Stating that the main responsibility of the forest office is to protect the forest, Jha said that the encroached land was cleared today according to the same task.

The Forest Committee and the Forest Office have been trying to clear the land for decades, but it has not been successful. This time, the land was cleared through the activities of the forest office, community forest, local and state governments.

Chief Jha also informed that the process is progressing regarding the land encroached by Maruti Cement Industry and Shaurya Cement Company. There are 27 thousand 907 hectares of forest area in the district. Currently, more than 4,000 hectares of land under political protection in Siraha has been encroached upon.