Forest department wins park case

The state forest department has won its case over 2,400 acres of forest land belonging to the Mahavir Harinavanasthali National Park at Mansoorabad of Saroornagar mandal on the city outskirts, that was entangled in litigation.

The High Court has disposed of 29 writs filed by petitioners claiming ownership of the land, a move which is in favour of the forest department.

According to a forest official, the land was grabbed by certain persons who had claimed that it was their ancestral property and filed the 29 petitions,

The deer park spreading over 4,000 acres along the Vijayawada Highway was declared a national park in 1994. No claims were made at that time. Officials began building a wall around the park in 1996, which is when the claimants filed the petitions claiming ownership of the land.

“Undeterred by threats, the Ranga Reddy forest field staff have succeeded in protecting the forest land. The efforts of Ranga Reddy district forest officer Bheema Naik and Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Siddhanand Kukrety and the government in pursuing the case are commendable,” said a forest department official.The deer park was named after the Jain saint Mahavira to commemorate his 2,500th nirvan anniversary in 1975. The park was once a private ground for the Nizam who donated it to

■ The High Court has disposed of 29 writs filed by petitioners claiming ownership of the land, a move which is in favour of the forest department.

■ The land was grabbed by certain persons who had claimed that it was their ancestral property and filed petitions, an official said.

■ The deer park spreading over 4,000 acres along the Vijayawada Highway was declared a national park in 1994. No claims were made then.

■ Officials began building a wall around the park in 1996, which is when the claimants filed the petitions claiming ownership. the government.

Preservation of the natural eco-system and improving awareness and promotion of eco-tourism are the main objectives of the park. It mainly comprises southern dry deciduous forests. Some areas are covered with grasslands and thorn forests. The fauna includes spotted deer, black buck, fourhorned antelope, peafowl, wild boar, porcupines, monitor lizards and different species of snakes and birds.