JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government has retrieved over 14.29 lakh kanals of encroached state land across the Union Territory, while nearly three lakh kanals continue to remain under illegal occupation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a starred question raised by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma, Abdullah, who also holds charge of the Revenue Department, said a total of over 17.27 lakh kanals of state land had been identified as encroached in Jammu and Kashmir, of which more than 14.29 lakh kanals have been successfully retrieved.
He said that in the Jammu division, out of around 14 lakh kanals of encroached land, authorities have reclaimed 12.12 lakh kanals, leaving about 1.87 lakh kanals still under illegal occupation.
In the Kashmir division, 3.27 lakh kanals were reported as encroached, of which 2.16 lakh kanals have been recovered, while around 1.10 lakh kanals remain to be retrieved.
Overall, approximately 2.97 lakh kanals of state land are still under encroachment across both divisions, with Jammu accounting for the larger share of both encroachment and recovery. The figures indicate that over 82 per cent of the identified encroached state land has been reclaimed so far.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana informed the House that 19,496 hectares — about 3.85 lakh kanals of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir remained under encroachment as of December 31, 2025.
Replying to a separate question raised by BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, Rana said the department has initiated a series of measures to retrieve forest land and prevent fresh encroachments.
He said detailed surveys and demarcation of forest boundaries are being carried out, with notices issued to encroachers under relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, directing them to vacate the land.
Vigilance has been intensified through joint monitoring by the Territorial Wing and the Forest Protection Force, while modern technologies such as remote sensing, GPS mapping and drone surveillance are being used to strengthen protection of forest land, the minister said.
He added that apart from eviction drives, restoration and preventive mechanisms are being prioritised to ensure reclaimed forest land is safeguarded against future illegal occupation. — (PTI)