Gujjars displaced by Sonanadi sanctuary to be rehabilitated

The forest dwelling Van Gujjar community displaced by Sonanadi sanctuary in Uttarakhand will be rehabilitated at Sabalgarh in Chidiyapur Range of Haridwar Forest Division by June this year.
All the formalities in this regard will be completed well in advance and 259 Van Gujjar families will be rehabilitated on 160 hectares of land identified at Sabalgarh before June end, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain said today.
The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by the chief secretary here yesterday.
The chief secretary directed the officials to ensure availability of drinking water, toilets, construction material for building homes, electricity, roads and schools in the area before the families are rehabilitated.

Biometric identity cards will also be issued by the forest department to the Van Gujjar families to be rehabilitated in the area under the supervision of forest department officials, he said.
A prosposal is also being sent to the Centre for offering Rs 10 lakh as a golden handshake to each Van Gujjar family in the area as part of their rehabilitation package, Jain said.