Imposition of a possible fine of Rs 1000 per hectare per month on the State (Maharashtra) and deductions of Rs 100 per hectare per month from salaries of officials has accelerated the Forest Department's encroachment removal drive. The department has embarked upon the drive following the November 23, 2001 Supreme Court (SC) order setting September 30 as a deadline for removal of all post-1978 encroachments covering about 80000 hectares of forest land.