In a continued effort to protect public land and maintain the integrity of community spaces, the District Administration, South Andaman, carried out a major eviction drive at Radhanagar village in Swaraj Dweep ( Havelock) on Thursday, reclaiming government land from illegal encroachments.
Officials from the Revenue Department, supported by local authorities, successfully removed unauthorized plantations and structures raised over approximately 2,000 square meters of government revenue land. The reclaimed area has been restored to its original condition, reaffirming the Administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward encroachment and misuse of public land.
According to the Administration, the operation forms part of an ongoing campaign to identify and remove illegal occupations across South Andaman. The drive follows a series of routine field inspections conducted by revenue officials to detect encroachments and ensure government land remains free from unauthorized use.
The Radhanagar eviction marks another step in a broader administrative effort to preserve land meant for community infrastructure and public benefit. Over the past months, multiple such actions have been undertaken across the district, covering both urban and rural zones.
During Thursday’s drive, the revenue team discovered unauthorized arecanut and vegetable plantations raised on government land. These plantations were promptly removed as part of the eviction proceedings. Officials noted that encroachers had attempted to convert the public land for agricultural use, in clear violation of government regulations.
Following the eviction, the land was demarcated and restored to prevent further encroachment. The Administration stated that it remains committed to monitoring such vulnerable sites and conducting follow-up inspections to ensure the reclaimed areas remain protected.
The District Administration has warned that strict legal proceedings will be initiated against individuals or groups found engaging in illegal occupation, construction, or misuse of public land. Authorities have urged residents to refrain from any activity that interferes with government property, emphasizing that such violations will invite both civil and criminal consequences.
Officials further stated that protecting public land is crucial for maintaining environmental balance and ensuring that community development projects, such as housing, education, and health infrastructure, can proceed without obstruction.
In a move to strengthen community participation and transparency, the Administration has opened multiple channels for citizens to report cases of encroachment or unauthorized construction.
Residents can share information through the District Control Room by calling 03192-240127, 238881, or 1070, or by sending details and photographs via WhatsApp to 9531888844.
Authorities have assured that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential, and all genuine complaints will be acted upon promptly. The appeal comes as part of a larger push to make land governance participatory and accountable at the grassroots level.
Officials said that while eviction drives and inspections will continue, public cooperation remains vital to ensure that reclaimed land is preserved and not re-encroached upon. Awareness campaigns are also being planned to educate citizens on the legal implications of land encroachment and to encourage lawful use of community resources.
By coupling strict enforcement with community engagement, the South Andaman District Administration aims to build a transparent and accountable system for land management across the Islands, ensuring public property remains for the public good.
