Hillock razing threat to ecology

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030805/punjab1.htm
Hillock razing threat to ecology
Lalit Mohan

ROPAR: The trend of levelling small hillocks in the district is threatening the ecology of the area. Some colonisers allegedly in connivance with the authorities concerned are razing hillocks, especially those located on the roadside for commercial interests.

Most of the hillocks in the district are a part of the ecologically sensitive Shivalik range of the Himalayas. They form a part of the forest area of the Shivalik range protected by the government under Sections 4 and 5 of the Forest Act. In the areas protected under the said Acts, the owners of the land have to seek permission from the Forest Department before even cutting a tree. However, ignoring or manipulating the rules and regulations in many areas, the hillocks are being levelled to prepare the land for either agriculture or colonisation purposes.

Sources told this correspondent that though preparing the land for agriculture by razing a hillock was a costly process, many influential people were using black money for the purpose.

Certain IAS officers and politicians have purchased vast tracts of land in the form of hillocks near the Sirsa-Nangal area of the district at comparatively high prices. They are now allegedly using their black money to pull down the hillocks and convert them into agricultural land. In the process they would convert black money into white through agriculture produce.

Religious organisations and Babas are also among those involved in reducing hillocks to plains. Since followers of the Radha Swami sect recently pulled down a hillock on the main road in Bharatgarh. This has increased erosion in the surrounding areas, including along adjoining the national highway.

The garb of religion allegedly gives such defaulters immunity from the administrative authorities.

Environment lovers have expressed concern over the increasing trend of razing hillocks in the area. If it is not stopped, it would increase soil erosion in this ecologically sensitive area and create an environment catastrophe.