‘Tribal Farmers Are Not Getting Justice’: BJP MP Mansukh Vasava Raises Forest Land Issues With PM Modi

Bharuch BJP MP Mansukh Vasava has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising serious concerns over alleged encroachment on forest land and corruption in the Forest Department, while expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of his own government and officials.

In his letter, Vasava alleged that tribal farmers in the Sagbara area were being harassed and denied justice despite repeated representations to the chief minister, deputy chief minister and forest minister.

‘Our government is harassing tribal farmers’

Vasava reportedly wrote in the letter that, “Our government is harassing the tribal farmers of Sagbara and they are not getting justice.” He alleged that despite submitting written representations to senior government functionaries, no effective action had been taken on the issues raised by him.

The BJP MP has sought the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter and demanded strict legal action against those found responsible.

Alleged illegal cultivation on 400-500 acres

Vasava has alleged that in the Dediapada and Sagbara areas, Chaitar Vasava, Ganesh Vasava and others have allegedly carried out cultivation on around 400 to 500 acres of forest land illegally.

He further claimed that local residents and former sarpanches had repeatedly approached the administration with complaints, but no action had been taken to stop the alleged encroachments.

Allegations of tree felling and irregularities in plantation work

The MP also alleged that trees had been cut down on large hillocks in parts of Narmada and Surat districts and the land subsequently brought under cultivation.

He further alleged irregularities involving crores of rupees in the name of plantation activities. Another serious allegation in the letter was that Range Forest Officers (RFOs) in Gujarat allegedly have to pay ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh to secure transfers to “good ranges”.

These claims are allegations made by Vasava and have not been independently established in the material available.

Seeks high-level investigation

Vasava has urged the prime minister to order a high-level investigation into the alleged irregularities and determine responsibility for any wrongdoing.

The issue of forest land rights for tribal farmers in Sagbara has been a longstanding matter of contention, with farmers from several villages raising concerns over their cultivation rights and land claims. Vasava has also previously raised the issue with the state government.