Uttarakhand’s Anti-Encroachment Drive: 330 Mazars Demolished, Forest Land Reclaimed

Dehradun: In a bid to safeguard the sanctity of Uttarakhand’s forests, the state government has launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal religious activities. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the government has taken decisive action against Mazars (mausoleums) and similar religious structures.

The operation, which gained momentum after intelligence reports showed a sudden surge in “religious encroachments” in the state, has seen the demolition of over 330 Mazars in the last 90 days. The drive, backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), aims to prevent land jihad and ensure the preservation of the state’s sacred spaces.

Notably, the Corbett Tiger Reserve administration recently demolished nine Mazars located deep within the forest. Although human activity is typically prohibited within the reserve, these Mazars had unrestricted access to the reserved forest area. In line with government directives, strict measures were taken against the illegal encroachments, including issuing notices to those associated with the Mazars. However, no one responded, resulting in the demolition drive.

As a result of the crackdown, more than 325 Mazars have been demolished across Uttarakhand, freeing up 91 hectares of forest land. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, an overseeing IFS officer, has instructed divisional forest officers to plant fruit saplings in the now encroachment-free land.

The Uttarakhand government’s relentless efforts to remove illegal Mazars and religious structures have yielded significant results. The drive will continue to safeguard the forests and preserve the sanctity of the land.