Probe begins into ‘illegally constructed’ hotels on forest land in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara: A joint team of Revenue and Forest departments today launched a probe into five illegally constructed hotels on forest land in Bhitarkanika sanctuary in Kendrapara district.

A few more hotels have either two-storey or three-storey buildings. Measurements of all patches of land behind the ‘Swad Hotel’ under Bankuala Mouza are being verified in the presence of a local Magistrate and police force. The team joint is probing to ascertain the encroachment of forest lands, if any.

Allegedly, ponds and government lands were also encroached by the hoteliers. A section of the media had reported that six hotels including ‘Swad’ have been constructed on forest lands.

“Swad A/c Family Restaurant has been constructed on a patch of land (measuring around 24 decimals) owned by one Surya Narayan Lenka. However, a large pond and a patch of government land existing behind the eatery have been encroached,” Rajnagar tehsildar said when contacted.

Five other hotels have entirely been constructed on forest lands, the tehsildar added.