An affidavit filed by the Joint Secretary, Revenue and Forest Department of Maharashtra stated that 2,22,153 illegal constructions or structures were found on the 4,52,121 hectares of land available in the Maharashtra for grazing.
These structures occupied 10,089 hectares of land within the State which came to 2.23% of the total grazing land in the State, it was submitted.
The affidavit further pointed out that in compliance with a Supreme Court order, a government resolution had been issued by the cabinet in July 2011 imposing restrictions on use of the land designated as ‘gairan’ lands (open land for grazing) and for removing encroachments on it.
The government was responding to a suo motu public interest litigation petition initiated by the Court against unauthorised encroachments on grazing lands.
A bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta on Thursday asked the State to submit a road map on what steps will be taken by the authorities for removal those encroachments which continue to remain on the grazing lands.
Source: Barandbench
