By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Bahraich
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district have demolished four religious structures, including the centuries-old Lakkar Shah Baba mazar, located deep within the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, citing violations of forest conservation laws.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) B Shivshanker confirmed that the demolitions were carried out under the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, which prohibits non-forestry use of forest land without prior approval from the central government.
The shrines—those of Lakkar Shah, Bhawar Shah, Chaman Shah, and Shahn Shah—were located in beat number 20 of the Murtiha Range. Though a 1986 Waqf Board registration document was submitted by the mazar committee, officials said it failed to establish legal land rights or ownership over the forest land.
“These structures were deemed encroachments. As no clearance had been obtained for their existence or use, action was taken to remove them,” Shivshanker said during a press briefing at the Bahraich Collectorate auditorium, attended by District Magistrate Monika Rani and Superintendent of Police Prashant Verma.
The DFO added that the mazar committee had previously approached the high court to stop the forest department’s proceedings, but failed to obtain any relief.
To maintain law and order and prevent any unrest, heavy security, including forest department personnel, the Special Tiger Protection Force, local police, and units of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, was deployed during the operation.
When questioned about the media being barred from visiting the demolition sites, Shivshanker cited wildlife safety concerns. “The area lies within dense forest and poses risks due to potential human-animal conflict,” he explained. However, District Magistrate Monika Rani later directed that journalists could be granted restricted access to the site under forest department supervision.
Israr, secretary of the mazar committee, expressed disappointment over the demolition of the Lakkar Shah Baba shrine, which he claimed had hosted the annual urs festival since the 16th century. The forest department recently banned the event. We are considering legal options and may move the high court again,” he said.
The incident has stirred local discontent, particularly among those who regard the shrine as a symbol of communal harmony. Rais Ahmad, president of the shrine management committee, argued that the shrine had long attracted both Hindu and Muslim devotees.
“Nearly 60% of those attending the annual fair are Hindus. The same forest department that once issued permits and auctioned contracts for fairs is now calling it an encroachment,” he said.
This is not the first instance of such action. Last month, the district administration also imposed restrictions, citing security concerns, on the annual fair held at the Sayyad Salar Masud Ghazi dargah, another prominent religious site in Bahraich.
The demolitions have sparked debate over heritage preservation, religious practices, and forest conservation, highlighting the growing tension between environmental regulations and longstanding cultural traditions in forested areas.
