India, May 20 -- Encroachments in the vicinity of protected land in Gujarat's Barda Wildlife Sanctuary was cleared, the state's forest department said on Monday.

According to officials, encroachments from approximately 20 hectares of protected land in the sanctuary, where 24 individuals had unlawfully entered and cultivated mango plantations, endangering the region's ecosystem and wildlife habitats was cleared.

The encroachers had cleared natural vegetation and trees from the area behind Khambala Dam within the Ranavav range of Barda Sanctuary, the officials said.

"They leveled the forest land for cultivation and installed fencing, iron wires, and even electrified barriers to protect the unauthorised plantations. Plastic pipes and dies...