Forest officials confirmed land encroachments in Mangalam Peta forest area of Pulicherla mandal in Chittoor district. They filed cases under the AP Forest Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections. The officers named Peddireddy Mithun Reddy as A1, followed by Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Peddireddy Dwarakanath Reddy, and Peddireddy Indiramma. They also prepared a Preliminary Offence Report and submitted a chargesheet. The team took control of 32.63 acres involved in the encroachment.
Officials stated that the 1968 Gazette recorded 75.74 acres as assigned land in this forest region. However, the accused added 32.63 acres of forest land to it and built a fence. They planted horticulture crops and earned income from them. They also dug a borewell and used forest resources illegally. According to officers, the damage to forest wealth reached nearly ₹1.26 crore.
The team registered cases under AP Forest Act 1967 and BNS sections. They issued notices because the accused failed to show valid documents for the occupied land. Officials also confirmed strict action against supporting staff.
Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan ordered a full survey and asked officers to upload all forest land data online. PCCF P. V. Chalapathi Rao said the committee already started recovery of the encroached land and will publish complete details soon.
