Forest officials on Thursday foiled an attempt by horticulture farmers to encroach a portion of the forest land.
A group of farmers commenced farming activities on a land belonging to the Forest Department in Pykara Range of Coimbatore South Forest Division. The place with vast spread of grass lands in Wenlock Reserve Forest is popularly known as Shooting Point as a number of films were shot at this place. Toda tribals live in Neerkachimund area, which is closer to the Shooting Point.
Shooting at this spot was banned long ago following objections from nature enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department came across information that Toda tribal people were clearing the land and are ploughing the same in a bid to commence agriculture activities. Initial attempts to stop them fructified. But after a couple of days, they once again resumed farming activities.
On Thursday, forest officials placed caution boards stating that the land belonged to the department and warned the farmers not to encroach upon it in any form or manner.
South Range Officer Rajesh and team removed the encroachments and installed the caution boards and held talks with the village heads.
It is learnt that the tribal people own closer to 33 acres of land where farming was already on.
Meanwhile, they removed the grass in a four-acre land belonging to the department and made an attempt to commence farming, the officials said.
During the talks, the leaders were told not to indulge in such acts in future. Officials said that with the Tamil Nadu Forest Rights Act not having come into enforcement in the State, tribal people should desist from encroaching forest lands citing the legislation as the basis for their act.
