In the face of strong opposition by the local traders, the team of Rajaji national park and tiger reserve along with district administration continued to remove shops and stalls in the national park area on Thursday. The anti-encroachment team started action from Mansa Devi walkway and continued uphill removing encroachments, shops and kiosks selling Prasad and juice. With two back to back festivals Chandi Chaudas and Hanuman Jayanti, huge footfall is observed on both the temples- Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi situated atop hills in Haridwar.

Led by the park ranger, Haridwar range Sharan Pal Singh the team removed various illegal establishments on road with JCB machines and physically further up the hill. Amidst lot of opposition by the local traders and roadside vendors, the drive continued and soon the protestors went on the backfoot.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Sharan Pal Singh said, “The anti-encroachment drive on both the sides of the approach road to Chandi Devi was carried out. The people have been asked to free about three feet space from the main road. The drive shall be carried out till Friday.”

The range officer of Haridwar range also said that extra force has been sought from the higher officials so that in future permanent force can be deployed and the area can be kept free of encroachment. The tables, benches, almirahs and other materials kept enroute by sellers were removed by the park authorities. The footpaths encroached by roadside vendors are still to be made encroachment free. The shopkeepers have made small shacks selling jewellery and decorative items to attract business from the pilgrims who come to these temples in large numbers during summer season.