Archive · 7 Dec 2025
52 Houses Demolished in Uttarakhand Anti-Encroachment Drive
In Uttarakhand, 52 houses were demolished by the district administration because they were built on forest land.
The residents say they have lived there for a long time and that the demolitions are not legal.
The government says they gave notices and only demolished houses that did not have legal protection.
The area is important for wildlife, and the government wants to clear all illegal buildings.
Some people were taken to police stations, and the area is being watched to prevent any trouble.
52 houses were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive in the Terai West division of Uttarakhand.
Residents claim they have lived in the area for decades and that the demolitions are illegal.
The Forest Department issued notices and conducted hearings, asserting that only properties not granted relief were demolished.
The area is part of a 200-hectare encroached forest land, crucial for wildlife habitat.
Police were deployed to prevent disorder, and social media is being monitored for inflammatory posts.
- Who
- Residents of Terai West division, Ramnagar Range, Uttarakhand and the district administration
- What
- Demolition of 52 houses in an anti-encroachment drive
- When
- Sunday, 5 am
- Where
- Terai West division, Ramnagar Range, Uttarakhand
- Why
- To clear encroachments on Reserve Forest land, which is also a crucial wildlife habitat
Residents and Activists
District Administration and Forest Department
Legality of Demolitions
Residents and Activists
Residents claim the demolitions are illegal as some properties were protected under stay orders and Forest Rights Act claims are unsettled.
District Administration and Forest Department
The administration asserts that notices were issued and hearings were conducted, and only properties not granted relief were demolished.
Ownership and Settlement
Residents and Activists
Residents argue they have lived in the area for decades, with some families settling as far back as 1967.
District Administration and Forest Department
The Forest Department claims that many structures were built in the last 15 years and that the land is part of a 200-hectare encroached forest area.
- Location
- Terai West division, Ramnagar Range, Uttarakhand
- Number of Houses Demolished
- 52
- Number of Households Affected
- 52
- Total Land Cleared
- 25 hectares
- Total Land to be Cleared
- 200 hectares
- Total Households with Eviction Orders
- 170
- Households with Stay Orders
- 40
- Date of Demolition
- Sunday, 5 am
