Blue Star Limited has allegedly encroached upon around 15 biswas of forest land in the industrial area of Kala Amb in Sirmaur district. The illegal activity came to the fore when the Revenue Department demarcated the land.
According to sources, the demarcation was carried out on April 29 in the presence of officials of the Forest Department, Revenue Department and the administration.
The report confirmed that a portion of land recorded in the name of the Forest Department was allegedly being used as a road and for parking connected to the company premises along the Nahan-Moginand-Kala Amb-Chandigarh national highway.
Locals allege that the issue has remained pending for a long time despite repeated complaints regarding alleged occupation of government land in the name of industrial expansion. Sources say that the demarcation process itself has remained pending for nearly a year.
The issue has triggered a debate in the area, with several residents questioning whether action against a major industrial company will be taken in the same manner as in cases involving ordinary citizens accused of encroaching upon government land.
The company was also embroiled in a controversy nearly two decades ago over alleged violations linked to the same forest land and the construction on land classified as “jungle jhari”.
Residents describe the alleged occupation of the government land worth crores of rupees as a serious matter requiring impartial action.
Nahan Tehsildar Upendra said that the demarcation report had been submitted to the Forest Department and said ownership of around 15 biswa land was recorded in the name of the department.
Nahan Divisional Forest Officer Awani Bhushan Rai said the road had allegedly been carved out through the forest land by the company around 20 years ago. He said the recent demarcation conducted by the Revenue Department after a complaint established that the land belonged to the Forest Department.
“The land falls under the category of other forest land where boundaries are often not clearly defined. Now, that the matter has come to notice, action is being taken as per rules,” the DFO said, adding that a notice regarding alleged violation of the Forest Conservation Act had been issued to the company.
Attempts were made to obtain the official version of the company regarding the matter. However, it failed to reply till the filing of this report.
