Massive Land Encroachment in Jammu and Kashmir: Challenges and Retrieval Efforts

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with extensive land encroachment issues, according to official data. Over 18 lakh kanals of land are illegally occupied, encompassing both state and forest territories. To date, only 29,000 kanals have been reclaimed in ongoing eviction efforts that remain without a definitive timeline.

Jammu tops the list in state land encroachment while Rajouri leads in forest land encroachments. In some districts, land retrieval is progressing steadily, with Doda and Kishtwar reporting significant recoveries. Meanwhile, high-priority areas continue to be monitored and surveyed using advanced technology such as Differential GPS.

Joint drives involving the Forest Department, police, and other agencies are underway to tackle the issue. Additionally, public awareness initiatives are being conducted to educate local communities on land conservation. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court is actively monitoring the government's progress through public interest litigation reviews.