Governor takes cognizance of river Mala bed encroachment in PTR
Pilibhit: Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel took cognizance of the illegal encroachment on the bed of River Mala — the lifeline of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve — during her two-day visit to Pilibhit district on World Environment Day on June 5.
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Her intervention came after wildlife experts apprised her of the threat posed by the encroachment to the river and its aquatic biodiversity. River Mala, originating in Uttarakhand's Surai Forest Range, flows for 25 km through Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and supports over 10 species of Schedule I turtles, as well as smooth-coated otters, crocodiles, and several fish species. It is a critical year-round water source for wildlife, with the highest density of tigers found along its banks.
Despite official records showing his eviction in Sept 2021, Sarvesh Puri has continued to occupy nearly 2.5 hectares of riverbed near Pilibhit-Basti NH 730. He had built a temple, an approach road, and a residential complex on govt land. Puri, originally a carpenter, assumed the identity of a spiritual figure to gain influence and entrench himself.
Last year, on May 24, Puri was charged by Gajraula police for allegedly attacking circle lekhpal Jugendra Kumar, who had visited the site to halt further construction and borewell excavation.
Although the illegal construction was declared unauthorised in official records, local authorities delayed his eviction under the pretext of finding alternative land for relocating the temple. Wildlife activists proposed shifting the idols to the sacred origin site of the Gomti River in Madhotanda, which the governor approved, along with the demolition of illegal structures and eviction of Puri.
Dr Asgar Nawab, programme head for aquatic ecology at Wetlands International South Asia, warned that the obstruction of River Mala could fragment aquatic habitats, disrupt species dispersal, and increase inbreeding risks, threatening biodiversity.
To mark World Environment Day, Governor Patel also planted a Molshree (Mimusops elengi) sapling at the Mustafabad Forest Guest House.
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