UP: 200-hectare lake in Sambhal cleared of fresh encroachment in drive
Sambhal, May 24
The district administration in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on Saturday conducted an anti-encroachment drive and removed alleged illegal occupation from a 200-hectare lake area, officials said.
Speaking to ANI, Tehsildar Dhirendra Kumar Singh said that earlier action had been taken to clear agricultural encroachments from the lake during a drive conducted last year.
"This is a 200-hectare lake. Last year, effective action was taken on this, and agricultural encroachment was removed from here. Illegal encroachment was again being made on it by people. Today, that encroachment has been removed," he said.
Officials said the drive was launched after reports of fresh attempts to encroach upon the lake land. Revenue officials, along with local authorities, were present during the operation.
The administration added that measures are being taken to safeguard government land and prevent further encroachments in the area.
On April 1, Authorities began bulldozer operations to clear illegal encroachments for the widening and beautification of the Captain Manoj Pandey Intersection in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district.
Speaking to ANI, Executive Officer of the Municipality, Vaibhav Tripathi, said the action follows due process and prior notice to encroachers.
"In honour of Captain Manoj Pandey, the District Administration had previously taken the decision to beautify this intersection. In furtherance of this initiative, a survey was conducted within a 150-meter radius surrounding the Captain Manoj Pandey Intersection; notices were subsequently issued to all individuals identified as illegal encroachers," he said.
"Following the issuance of these notices, the encroachers were accorded a proper opportunity to be heard. Any objections raised by them were resolved in strict accordance with the applicable rules and regulations. Subsequently, continuous announcements regarding this matter were made at regular intervals," Tripathi added.
He further stated that several individuals complied voluntarily after the notices and announcements.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some action after years of neglect! 200 hectares is a massive area - that's like 400 football fields. Such lakes are vital for biodiversity and farmers who depend on water. But I hope the administration also provides alternative arrangements or rehabilitation for genuine poor families who might have been depending on that land illegally. Enforcement alone won't solve the root causes.
Oh bhai, similar drives happen everywhere in UP. But let's be real - these encroachments keep coming back because there's no sustained surveillance. What's needed is permanent demarcation with pillars, fencing, and regular patrolling by local police. Give the lake a dedicated caretaker from the gram panchayat. That's the only way to truly protect it. Temporary drives are just political photo-ops often.
This is the right step. Our lakes and water bodies are being destroyed everywhere due to greed. In Tamil Nadu we have similar issues with temple tanks and ponds. The administration deserves appreciation for acting on fresh encroachment quickly. But I hope the encroachers are not just small farmers but also powerful local builders or politicians who often get away. Need to ensure equal application of law.
Good work by Sambhal administration. Last year's drive cleared agricultural encroachment, but now fresh illegal occupation appeared. Shows how important it is to act swiftly. I just hope the local fishermen and communities who use the lake for livelihoods are consulted. Let the lake return to its natural state - it will benefit everyone in the long run through better water availability and climate resilience. 🌊
Honest question: if this lake is so important, why didn't the district administration properly protect it in the first place? The
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