Balasore: Swarnachud hill, located to the north of Nilagiri town in Balasore district, is the tallest one in the district. In view of its height, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up a permanent radar station on the hilltop, located about 1,500 feet above the sea level, under the Nilagiri forest range.
The station is under Chandipur-based Integrated Test Range (ITR). During the early 80s, the state government had diverted over 48 hectares of forestland on the hill in favour of the defence for the radar station.
Alarmingly, scores of outsiders have illegally occupied land at the foothill, which is already a reserve forest and sensitive zone in view of its security importance. Even houses were built atop 20 ft up the hill.
Some retired defence personnel have apprehended dangers to the radar station from the illegal occupants in the area.
Over a hundred people have been living at the foothill, as a survey conducted by the Nilagiri NAC.
There are 251 encroachers living at Station Sahi, Chimney Bhati, Ranipokhari, Nuasahi, Mainsigotha and Panabaraja areas, at the foothill of Swarnachud.
The encroachers have built concrete and asbestos roofed houses in the reserve forest while land encroaching activities and human settlement on the hill are increasing, a report said.
The original settlers were dismayed at the rate illegal settlers have been occupying reserve forestland.
Moreover, the area has been a safe haven for criminals committing robbery, snatching and theft on the roads connecting Udala and Balasore town.
It was alleged that as illegal human settlement keeps on expanding in forest area, wildlife was threatened.
Maheswar Behera, advisor of Bayusena Sangh, Balasore, observed, ”As Swarnachud hill is the highest one in the district, the Defence Ministry has set up the radar station to keep strict vigil on the movement of enemies from the hilltop.”
“If the foothill is illegally occupied by, it will create security hazards to our defence system. Illegal settlers will find it easy to trap the defence-related activities and pass them on to enemy countries. Given the serious threat, illegal settlers should be immediately evicted from the area,” Behera added.
Ratan Kumar Patnaik, an official of the Nilagiri NAC, said that 376 illegal settlers were identified in Nilagiri area while 235 of them have been living in the hill area. A plan has been prepared to remove them and resettle them elsewhere. The work has been stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nilagiri ranger Munwar Khan said, “Swarnachud hill is a reserve forest. No illegal occupants are allowed inside it. The matter will be investigated and action will be taken.”
PNN