TWO RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES GET GOVT NOTICE FOR ‘ENCROACHMENT’

DEHRADUN: Under its ongoing anti-encroachment drive, the forest department has issued notices to two religious structures in Haridwar, a senior official said. Gauri Kund near Bilkeshwar temple and Panchmukhi Hanuman temple have been issued notices, confirmed people aware of the matter.

The notice issued to the Gauri Kund, a copy of which HT has seen, said, “In Mayapur beat in Haridwar range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Gauri Kund has been built. It is encroachment and violation of the forest and wildlife conservation laws. If individual or organisation has the possession rights of this structure, the related documents should be produced in the Haridwar range office in four days or the structure will be removed...”

Vipin Kumar Dimri, Haridwar range forest officer, refused to share any detail or comment on the notices issued.

Following the action, Hindu seers opposed the eviction notices to these structures, saying that these temples are ancient and mentioned in religious scriptures. Ujjawal Pandit, a teerth purohit, said, “It is unfortunate that eviction notices have been issued to Gauri Kund near Bilkeshwar temple and Panchmukhi Hanuman temple. Both have been mentioned in different Hindu scriptures and Skanda Purana. These are not the religious structures that have come up illegally to capture land.”

Balvir Giri, the administrator at Bilkeshwar temple, termed the notice illegal and said the Gauri Kund has been mentioned in Skanda Purana. He said they have replied to the notice issued by the forest department.