Ramnagar, May 25 -- The Forest Department carried out a major eviction drive in the Tumadia Khatta area under the Ampokhara Range of Ramnagar Terai Western Forest Division in Nainital, reclaiming 22 hectares of encroached land yesterday. The operation, conducted with police assistance, resulted in the eviction of 18 families which had allegedly occupied the land illegally.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prakash Arya stated that the encroachers were served prior notices and given sufficient opportunity to present their case. Following the expiry of the deadline, the department took action under legal provisions. Arya also claimed that the families had appealed at the conservator level, but their plea was rejected, granting them an additi...