2 weeks ago
Suryapet cement plant forest land row sparks dispute
The forest department in India found that a cement company built things on land that belongs to a protected forest.
The land is in a place called Suryapet, in the state of Telangana.
The company built a security room, a pump house, sheds for workers, a playground, a wall and a road there.
The forest department checked official records and says the land is part of the Sultanpur Reserve Forest.
The company says it bought the land, but the forest department says its records show otherwise.
The forest officer ordered the company to remove all the buildings and leave the land within 15 days.
Some tribal groups and local farmers are happy about this order.
They want the forest land to be protected for the future.
They say they are not against factories, but forests are important.
The forest officials have been told to make sure the order is followed.
The District Forest Department ordered removal of structures built by Nagarjuna Cement on 12 acres and six guntas in Survey No 88, identified as Sultanpur Reserve Forest land.
Structures on the land include a security room, pump house, drinking water facility, workers' sheds, playground, compound wall, barbed-wire fencing and a cement road.
Industry representatives said they purchased the land, but the Forest Department based its decision on Revenue, Survey and Forest department records.
Under the Telangana Forest Act, the District Forest Officer directed the company to vacate the land within 15 days.
Tribal organisations and local farmers demanded strict action and implementation of the orders, saying they support industrial development but want forest land protected.
- Who
- District Forest Department, Nagarjuna Cement industry, and tribal organisations including the Girijana Lambada Hakkula Porata Samithi and local farmers
- What
- Forest Department ordered removal of alleged encroachments and structures on land identified as Sultanpur Reserve Forest
- Where
- Mattapalli village, Mattampally mandal, Suryapet district, Telangana
- When
- Not specified in the article
- Why
- To protect forest land under the Telangana Forest Act after records showed the land belongs to the Sultanpur Reserve Forest
Company's position
Forest Department and tribal groups' position
Land ownership
Company's position
Nagarjuna Cement representatives say they purchased the land.
Forest Department and tribal groups' position
Forest Department says official Revenue, Survey and Forest records show the land belongs to Sultanpur Reserve Forest.
Industrial development vs forest protection
Company's position
The cement industry operates structures on the land as part of its plant facilities.
Forest Department and tribal groups' position
Tribal organisations and farmers say they are not opposed to industrial development but the government must protect forest land as an asset for future generations.
Key facts
- Location
- Mattapalli village, Mattampally mandal, Suryapet district, Telangana
- Company
- Nagarjuna Cement industry
- Disputed land
- 12 acres and 6 guntas in Survey No 88
- Forest area
- Sultanpur Reserve Forest
- Structures found
- Security room, pump house, drinking water facility, workers' sheds, playground, compound wall, barbed-wire fencing, cement road
- Compliance deadline
- 15 days
- Legal basis
- Telangana Forest Act
- Ordering authority
- District Forest Officer
Sources
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