The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has taken significant action by reclaiming 32.63 acres of encroached land in the Mangalamapet forest area of Chittoor district. This area originally consisted of 75.74 acres of notified forest land, but illegal activities led to the merging of additional land with private holdings. The department has filed criminal cases against several individuals, including former MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy, for violating the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act. The encroachers reportedly caused an estimated loss of ₹1.26 crore to the state's natural resources. A special committee has been established to investigate all forest land encroachments, and the department plans to publish details of forest lands for public transparency. Officials involved in abetting encroachments will face departmental action.