Pune Forest Department Faces Challenges In Reclaiming Reserve Forest Land

Deepak Pawar, Assistant Conservator of Forests in Pune, highlighted the difficulties to a news agency in reclaiming this land. Ongoing litigation, encroachment, and lease proposals complicate the process. 

Court cases regarding land ownership are unresolved, allowing further encroachments. In some areas, permanent structures like buildings and slums have been established, making relocation and land reclamation challenging. Additionally, lands initially allocated for agriculture are now used for commercial or residential purposes. Some lands are under long-term leases, adding to the complexity of the reclamation efforts.

The Forest Department continues to face hurdles in its mission to restore and protect reserve forest lands.