India, July 12 -- The Haryana forest department is preparing to launch a demolition drive against illegal constructions on protected forest land in Gurugram after issuing notices to 21 illegal encroachments, officials said.

Officials said several occupants have already started demolishing the illegal structures voluntarily after receiving the notices. They added that 18 of the identified encroachments are located in the Ghamroj area, including a mosque, a school, a church, three non-government buildings, and several other structures built without permission on protected forest land.

Those served notices were given time to remove the encroachments voluntarily within a stipulated period, officials said. Once the notice period expires, the...