J-K’s Wildlife Department transfers over 200 kanals of land to different agencies

SRINAGAR — The Department of Wildlife Protection has transferred over 200 kanals of land to different agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

An application filed under the Right to Information Act by social activist MM Shuja reveals that nearly 10 kanals of land from Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been given to the Ministry of Defense, Government of India for laying underground optical fibre cable for Indian Army by the Director General of Signal, Ministry of Defense, GOI.

The data, as per the news agency KNT, further reveals that the National Highway Authority of India has secured over 187 kanals of land owned by the Department of Wildlife Protection at two places. This land has been transferred to construct a four-lanning on the National Highway in Ramnagar and the development of Package 17 of the Delhi-Katra Expressway.

Nearly 20 kanals of land have been secured by the Government of India under PMGSY for the construction of a road from Mantlai to Gamsadu and again for the construction of a road from Barkunda to Kharwa.

The data reveals that over 13 kanals of land belonging to the Department of Wildlife Protection have either been encroached on or are in the possession of private or government agencies.