Jaipur: The forest department has initiated an inquiry into alleged illicit land transactions and changes to land use in the Digota forest area, recognised as a crucial tiger corridor connecting Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) and Jamwa-Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary near Jaipur.The inquiry was prompted by a complaint submitted by the Nahargarh forest and wildlife protection and service committee on Sept 6, raising alarms over the impact these alterations may have on wildlife movement.A senior forest official said, “Deputy conservator of forests, wildlife, Jaipur, has directed the regional forest officer, Ajabgarh, to investigate allegations concerning purchase and sale of agricultural land, conversion of land use, and changes in land classification in and around the forest area.”Particularly alarming is the recent observation of a male tiger travelling through the Digota landscape, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard this vital ecological corridor. The inquiry will encompass activities related to colonies and plotted developments in Aandhi tehsil of Jaipur district.“This is a described (forest) area and registry and land transactions are banned here. Only people residing here on revenue land are allowed to stay, but it cannot be sold,” a forest source said. The source also emphasised the illegal activities of land mafias who are allegedly acquiring farmland through agreements to unlawfully develop colonies, preying on unsuspecting buyers.The forest department has instructed the regional officer to investigate the allegations raised in the complaint and provide an accurate report to the department promptly. Additionally, the officer has been directed to take action and prevent any activities that violate environmental laws.“The inquiry is crucial as the Digota landscape is part of a broader wildlife movement network. Increased land transactions and habitat fragmentation can threaten the movement of large mammals like tigers and leopards,” an official said. “These illegal colonies should be stopped at the earliest. First, people will make houses in wildlife habitats and later will complain about animals entering colonies and homes,” the complainant warned.An official said, “The department’s order, however, does not establish any illegality in the land transactions or the named project. It calls for verification of the allegations and a factual assessment before any further action is taken.”
