Srinivasapur, 20 Oct    

In a three-day operation, forest officials reclaimed nearly 300 acres of encroached land in Srinivasapur taluk, part of the Royalpad reserve forest in Kotlavaripalli village, officials said.

The eviction drive, led by DCF Sareena Sikligar and ACF Mahesh K, was carried out with police support and earthmovers. Several mango trees, other plantations, and a few permanent structures, including pump houses, were demolished. The reclaimed land is valued at around Rs 70 crore, according to RFO Ravikeerthi.

Despite prior eviction notices, some farmers refused to vacate. Officials allowed them to harvest crops such as tomatoes before clearing the land. Steps are now underway to dig trenches, plant saplings, and erect fences to prevent future encroachments. Additional monitoring teams will patrol the area to ensure the land remains protected.

DCF Sikligar said more than 8,000 acres of forest land in the district have been illegally occupied, with about 3,300 acres reclaimed in recent years. Former DCF Yedukondalu had earlier led similar drives, recovering 2,500 acres during his tenure.

The forest department continues its district-wide campaign to restore protected lands, curb illegal occupation, and raise awareness about forest conservation among local communities.