Question : ENCROACHMENTS IN NATIONAL PARKS SANCTUARIES

(a) whether many National Parks and Sanctuaries in the country are facing the problem of unchecked encroachment;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(c) the steps taken to remove these encroachments?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) & (b) The problem of unchecked encroachment in National Parks and Sanctuaries does not exist and fresh attempts of encroachments are not allowed. Action is also taken to evict the old and ineligible category of encroachments. All these matters are dealt at the level of State Governments. The State wise details for National Parks/Sanctuaries are not maintained at the Government level. However, the total forest area under encroachment at present is reported to be around 13.5 lakh hectares at present.

(c) Government is committed to protect the National Parks and Sanctuaries against encroachments through the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Governments in accordance with the law. Government have issued directions to the various State Governments and UT Governments to deal with the issue of the encroachments on priority and evict the ineligible encroachers from the forest lands as per the guidelines of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. Government have also asked various State Governments/UT Governments that the eviction process should be monitored at the highest level and accountability should be fixed for inaction.