Hamirpur (HP), Feb 3 (PTI) – The forest department in Hamirpur has seized two JCB machines being used for unauthorized road widening on forest land, officials reported on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, a department team inspected the site and discovered that forest land was being eroded using heavy machinery. One of the operators attempted to escape but was apprehended 200 meters away in the Bharmeli area of the district, an official stated. The operation was detected during routine patrolling.
The road widening was taking place at night along the Bharmeli Chowk–Bharmeli village stretch of the Hamirpur-Sujanpur road without the required approval from the forest department.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ankita Singh confirmed that the extent of the damage is being assessed and a report is under preparation. "Two JCBs have been impounded, and legal action is being initiated under the Forest Act of 1927 and the Forest Protection Act of 1980," Singh said.
One JCB was found parked on the road, while the other was actively engaged in excavation work. Officials noted that approximately 15 meters of land had been eroded, though no trees were felled. Authorities are considering imposing a fine of ₹250 per cubic meter for the unauthorized land erosion.
The forest department is finalizing its report on the total extent of damage and the penalties to be enforced.
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