The forests of Jammu, Poonch, and Nowshera, home to Chir Pine, Deodar, and Kail, have long faced threats from illegal encroachment, timber smuggling, and organised land mafias. In Jammu, nearly half of the forest area lies close to the city, making it especially vulnerable. Land grabbers manipulated revenue records and misled citizens into buying forest land under false ownership claims.
IFS Suresh Manda, Divisional Forest Officer of Jammu, knew the situation demanded a bold, methodical response. “We had to act quickly and decisively. Forests are not just land; they are livelihood, heritage, and protection for communities. Letting them fall prey to illegal activities was not an option,” he shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
TARGETING ENCROACHERS
The Department began by identifying the largest encroachers in each division, meticulously reviewing forest and revenue records, and cross-verifying claims with GIS-based satellite imagery. This evidence laid the foundation for on-the-ground eviction drives. Illegal structures were demolished, and forest boundaries were restored.
Over time, this campaign retrieved 203 hectares of prime forest land and cancelled wrongful claims over 1068 kanals. Citizens who had unknowingly been duped by land mafias were freed from fabricated ownership disputes. High-profile mafia operatives were booked and arrested under the Public Safety Act, curbing their ability to manipulate records further.
“Our message was clear: encroachment will not be tolerated, and we will protect both forests and citizens,” Manda shared.
COMBATING KHAIR SMUGGLING
Jammu’s rich Khair crop, coupled with nearby Katha factories in Jammu and Samba, made the area a hotspot for smuggling. Smugglers operated mostly at night, exploiting hidden routes to transport billets. The scale of the problem was staggering: over 1810 billets of Khair seized, and 44 vehicles involved in illegal transport were intercepted.
The Department’s approach combined intelligence with technology. Five years of smuggling data were analysed, hotspots mapped via GIS, and a network of nakas was established to intercept illegal consignments. Forest teams patrolled exit routes at night, adapting dynamically to changing smuggling patterns. Notorious smugglers were arrested under the Public Safety Act.
“Smugglers often think they are invisible at night. We made sure they knew we were several steps ahead,” Manda explained, reflecting on the strategic operations.
A PERMANENT SHIELD
A major challenge for forest protection has always been disputes over boundaries. To prevent encroachment and future conflicts, the Department initiated a massive resurvey and digitization drive. In the Jammu Forest Division alone, 10,673 boundary pillars were resurveyed and 3,249 new pillars installed. Every geo-coordinate was scientifically captured and digitally recorded, creating a tamper-proof reference for future management.
“This isn’t just about today; it’s about ensuring future generations know exactly where forests begin and end,” Manda told Indian Masterminds.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR FOREST PROTECTION
Through eviction drives, anti-smuggling operations, and boundary digitization, the Jammu Forest Division has sent a strong message: illegal activities will face action, and forests will remain protected. This holistic strategy has not only restored legal and ecological integrity but has also safeguarded the interests of citizens.
Jammu’s forests are now stronger, smarter, and better protected, which is a result of intelligence-driven action, legal enforcement, and innovative use of technology. For IFS Suresh Manda and his team, the message is simple: forests belong to the people, and their protection comes first.
