Bhopal, July 20: Nearly 2,000 members of the indigenous Korku community from around 150 villages in Madhya Pradesh Khandwa and Burhanpur districts have demanded the removal of alleged illegal encroachments from forest land, saying continued forest degradation threatens their livelihoods and traditional way of life.
The community organised a march to submit their demands to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, urging the state government to strengthen forest protection and prevent further encroachment.
Korku community leader Umakant Patil alleged that since 2020, forest areas have witnessed increasing encroachment and clearing by members of the Bharela and Bhilala tribal communities from neighbouring districts, including Khargone, Alirajpur, Barwani and Jhabua.
According to the community, the alleged encroachments have reduced forest cover, disturbed wildlife habitats and limited access to minor forest produce such as mahua flowers, chironji, tendu leaves, gums, medicinal plants and fuelwood, which form an important source of livelihood for local residents.
The Korku community also raised concerns over forest degradation in the Amakhujri area under the Gudi Forest Range.
Patil said many Community Forest Rights claims filed by the alleged encroachers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, had been rejected. He added that in June, the forest department and district administration asked those occupying the land to vacate it, stating they had no legal claim over the forest land. After they refused, authorities carried out an eviction drive to remove the encroachments.
Following the action, members of the Korku community reclaimed the land and called for continued efforts to prevent fresh encroachments.
In a written appeal, residents of Jambupani village in Burhanpur district said the conversion of forest land into agricultural fields has reduced grazing areas for livestock and affected communities that depend on forests for sustenance.
The community has urged the state government to strengthen Joint Forest Management institutions continue eviction drives against illegal encroachments, introduce permanent measures to prevent re-encroachment and increase forest department patrols to ensure effective protection of forest land.