Is there a constructive way to protect cleared government lands?

VISHWA KUNDAPURA 9TH MAY 2015

 Kolar administration finds a solution by planting saplings on on Kodikannur tank bed

Is there a meaningful and constructive way to protect cleared government lands and ensure their better utilisation?

These questions to be haunting the authorities following the eviction of persons from encroached government lands and tank beds in Bengaluru and elsewhere in the State.

 The Kolar district administration has presented a model in this direction.

The district administration has harped on a novel plan to raise plantations on tank beds which have been cleared of encroachments.

Planting of saplings on previously encroached land on Kodikannur tank bed near the town is now making news.

Deputy Commissioner K.V. Thrilokchandra launched the programme on Friday along with other officials including zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer N.M. Panali and Superintendent of Police Ajay Hilori.

Prevention of re-encroachment of cleared land, saving it as public asset permanently and turning it in to an eco-friendly zone is the objective of the planting drive,

Mr. Thrilokchandra has said. Honge has been selected considering its multi-pronged utility. The plant will help increase the nitrogen content of soil and will provide green-leaf manure, as well as providing shade.

As many as 500 honge saplings will be planted on the two-hectare land on Kodikannur tank bed.

Warning Mr. Thrilokchandra has warned that a three-year jail term and Rs. 25,000 fine would be slapped under the Land Grabbing Prevention Act if the land was encroached upon again. Criminal cases will also be registered against encroachers, he added.

SETTING A MODEL
Raising plantation on evicted tank land
500 honge saplings to be planted on two hectares
1,539 acres recovered from encroachers 

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/is-there-a-constructive-way-to-protect-cleared-government-lands/article7188427.ece

Allocate land to Grama Panchayats: DC

Madikeri: May 13, 2015: Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari has directed the Tahsildars and Revenue Inspectors to take steps to allocate cleared government lands, as per the requirements of various Grama Panchayats. Chairing a review meeting on land allocation at the Old Fort Hall, here, on Tuesday, the DC directed the officials concerned to allocate lands for residential sites, waste management units, crematorium, community toilets and other amenities. Directions were issued for clearing of encroached lands, as per the directions of the High Court. Though the work of clearing encroached lands is satisfactory, the percentage wise progress is low is several places, the DC said and warned of stern action against revenue inspectors who have not achieved progress. The DC warned of issuing a show cause notice to a revenue inspector after learning that only 40 acres was vacated out of thousands of acres of encroachment in Kushalnagar hobli. Zilla Panchayat CEO M Koorma Rao said, lands are essential to carry out development works in Grama Panchayat limits. A meet of revenue officials and PDOs has been convened in this regard. The housing schemes are not seeing expected progress, owing to dearth of sites. The PDOs should work towards providing minimum sites for basic amenities such as community toilets and crematoriums, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner M Sathish Kumar said, the demands by various Panchayats should be placed before Grama Sabhas and should be sent to the Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers, after availing sanctions. The EOs, in turn, should submit the list of demands to Tahsildars. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/477196/allocate-land-grama-panchayats-dc.html