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CNP land encroachment: Swami held, disciples stage protests
Supporters of religious leader Swami Krishna, who was arrested by Chitwan National Park officials on Tuesday night, have obstructed the East-West highway in Nawalparasi.
bookmarkChitwan National Park (CNP) officials have arrested Swami Krishna Prapannacharya, a follower of spiritual leader Swami Kamalnayanacharya, for encroaching upon forests inside the protected area.
Swami Krishna, head of the Triveni-based Gajendramoksha Dham run under a trust owned by Kamalnayanacharya, was arrested from Belatari of Nawalparasi on Tuesday. CNP Chief Conservation Officer Kamal Jung Kunwar said they initiated an investigation after remanding Swami Krishna in custody for 15 days on Wednesday.
"In the past one year, encroachment upon forests inside the national park and its buffer zone was increasing with the construction of infrastructures such as concrete houses, cowsheds and walls in around 10 hectares of land," Kunwar said.
The Gajendramoksha Dham along the Narayani river has been considered a religious site since mid 70s and Swami Kamalnayanacharya started his activities in 1999. The construction of houses, schools, ashrams and roads by clearing forests was increasing in the recent years.
CNP officials said no law permits construction of such structures inside protected areas and buffer zones. However, Kamalnayanacharya, who reportedly established close ties with senior leaders, had flouted rules.
"We had repeatedly asked the swami and his followers to stop encroachment. We even sent a letter two months ago asking them to attend a meeting to discuss the matter, but they didn’t respond. So, we held Swami Krishna for further investigation," said Tika Ram Poudel, a CNP official.
The national officials said they also informed Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya of the matter and were assured that action will be taken against anyone found encroaching upon the national park.
As per the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, anyone encroaching upon protected areas is punished with a fine of Rs 10,000 or six months to two years of jail term or both.
Meanwhile, Swami Krishna’s followers organised a protest rally in Parasi and briefly obstructed East-West Highway at Dumkibas on Wednesday. They also submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer Hari Mainali demanding immediate release of the arrestee without any charges.
Pragati Shahi, Bechu Gaud & Bhusan Yadav
Published at : July 15, 2015
Kathmandu /nawalparasi
Swami Krishna, head of the Triveni-based Gajendramoksha Dham run under a trust owned by Kamalnayanacharya, was arrested from Belatari of Nawalparasi on Tuesday. CNP Chief Conservation Officer Kamal Jung Kunwar said they initiated an investigation after remanding Swami Krishna in custody for 15 days on Wednesday.
"In the past one year, encroachment upon forests inside the national park and its buffer zone was increasing with the construction of infrastructures such as concrete houses, cowsheds and walls in around 10 hectares of land," Kunwar said.
The Gajendramoksha Dham along the Narayani river has been considered a religious site since mid 70s and Swami Kamalnayanacharya started his activities in 1999. The construction of houses, schools, ashrams and roads by clearing forests was increasing in the recent years.
CNP officials said no law permits construction of such structures inside protected areas and buffer zones. However, Kamalnayanacharya, who reportedly established close ties with senior leaders, had flouted rules.
"We had repeatedly asked the swami and his followers to stop encroachment. We even sent a letter two months ago asking them to attend a meeting to discuss the matter, but they didn’t respond. So, we held Swami Krishna for further investigation," said Tika Ram Poudel, a CNP official.
The national officials said they also informed Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya of the matter and were assured that action will be taken against anyone found encroaching upon the national park.
As per the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, anyone encroaching upon protected areas is punished with a fine of Rs 10,000 or six months to two years of jail term or both.
Meanwhile, Swami Krishna’s followers organised a protest rally in Parasi and briefly obstructed East-West Highway at Dumkibas on Wednesday. They also submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer Hari Mainali demanding immediate release of the arrestee without any charges.
Bhusan Yadav
Bhusan Yadav is the Parsa correspondent for Kantipur Media Group.
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