In Kalagarh, a temporary settlement established for the Ramganga Hydro Electric Project, illegal occupations by people from Uttar Pradesh are still evident. This land is classified as forest land and was leased to the Corbett Tiger Reserve for the completion of the project.
Although the project has been completed and some land has been returned to the forest department, hundreds of people continue to occupy government land illegally. Notably, illegal occupants have constructed a mosque on the buffer zone land of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, and there are efforts to raise funds for expanding this mosque through social media. This mosque is referred to as the “tin mosque.”
The encroachment in Kalagarh Tiger Reserve has not been addressed, as individuals from Bijnor and Dhampur in Uttar Pradesh have taken possession of the land, receiving political protection from parties that engage in appeasement politics. Congress leaders have historically used Kalagarh for political gains while sheltering those who have encroached illegally.
After the completion of the Ramganga Hydro Electric Project, the land was supposed to revert back to the forest department, as ordered by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal. Although the Corbett Tiger Reserve administration has reclaimed some land, hundreds of hectares still remain illegally occupied. Reports indicate that this area is largely devoid of economic activity, with many residents allegedly involved in timber smuggling. Additionally, there are claims that criminals from Uttar Pradesh find refuge across the Uttarakhand border.
Kalagarh is part of the Pauri Garhwal district, bordered by Nainital district on one side and the Afzalgarh area of Bijnor district on the other.
The Pauri district administration and Corbett Tiger Reserve had initiated an eviction campaign until 2018, but since then, the campaign has been largely ineffective, only removing sporadic encroachments and informing the National Green Tribunal. Many buildings are in dilapidated condition, yet the illegal occupants remain.
Some of these individuals have constructed homes in Afzalgarh, Bijnor, but continue to occupy land illegally here. It’s also reported that they possess voting rights in both Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Due to political patronage and appeasement politics in Uttarakhand, the government has been unable to take decisive action against these encroachments.
