Jaipur, May 19 -- In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments, the forest department in Kota has cleared over 2,400 bighas of forest land in the past four months. Targeting organised land mafias who had taken unlawful possession of vast stretches, the drive marks one of the district's most extensive efforts to reclaim high-value, flat forest terrain long preyed upon by encroachers, officials said on Sunday. Deputy conservator of forest, Kota, Apoorva Krishna Srivastava said due to its naturally flat terrain and high market value, the forest land in Kota has long been a target of land mafias. Over the past two decades, encroachments have been reported in several areas, including Barda Basti, Crusher Basti, Aawli, Rojhdi, Nayagaon, and Anantpura. "In response to this growing threat, the forest department launched a large-scale anti-encroachment campaign last year, specifically targeting organised land mafias," he added. The campaign focuses on those who have illegally purchased forest land, taken possession of large areas, constructed fences, or engaged in unauthorised farming. The drive began in May last year with the demolition of a 4,300sqm illegal farmhouse belonging to a person, Ameen Pathan, in the Anantpura-Pathanwadi area, officials said....