India, July 15 -- The indigenous Korku community of Madhya Pradesh have demanded the forest department and district administration to remove encroachments from forest lands.

Nearly 2,000 community members from 150 villages from Khandwa and Burhanpur districts depending on the forest for sustenance held a march to convey their demands to the chief minister of the state.

Korku community leader Umakant Patil alleged ongoing illegal encroachments by the Bharela and Bhilala tribal communities known to be native to Khargone, Alirajpur, Badwai and Jhabua districts of the state.

"Since 2020 there have been visible and rapid illegal occupation and forest clearing by outsiders which have reduced forest cover, disturbed wildlife habitats and affe...