JAMMU, April 4: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said 256 illegal occupants have been identified along the flood plains of the Tawi River in Nikki Tawi, Jammu district, with encroachments covering 328 kanals and 15 marlas of prime land.
Often called the “oxygen chamber” of Jammu for its lush greenery, Nikki Tawi spans over 5,000 kanals between two Tawi River channels but is under increasing pressure from illegal constructions and large-scale encroachments.
Replying to BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said details were submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in connection with an ongoing case on alleged environmental degradation of the river.
The divisional commissioner of Jammu, through communications dated March 23, 30 and April 1, 2026, has submitted the matter before the NGT in New Delhi, with the next hearing scheduled for April 24, 2026.
The deputy commissioner reported 256 illegal occupants on the flood plains under specific khasra numbers, though these entries are not in revenue records. The total encroached area was stated as 328 kanals and 15 marlas.
The government added that during recent flash floods, 17 houses were completely washed away, but no human casualties were reported. The matter will be examined according to NGT directions.
