JDA gets 78 acres of forest land for building Sidhra township

Jammu and Kashmir government has transfered over nearly 78 acres of forest land to Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to build a township in Sidhra, in the outskirts of the city.
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, said that around 77.88 acres of forest land was transferred to JDA for construction of New Jammu Township in reply to a question from National Conference MLC Vijay Bakaya in the Upper House of the Assembly here today.
He, however, added that out of the alloted land over 12.5 acres was ordered to be left for Social Forestry Nursery and Rest House beside a small area of less than one acre was meant for the construction of Public Service Commission office.

Altaf said that the possession of around 65.69 acres of land was still to be handed over to JDA.
The minister also said that as against a due amount of Rs 1,621.3 lakhs JDA has so far only paid a sum of Rs 11,34,377.
On the forest area being encroached in the area, Altaf said there was no clear record on it and added that Deputy Commissioner Jammu has constituted a committee in this regard, which is yet to submit its report.