Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 31: Chief Wild Life Warden, J&K has ordered an inquiry into the illegal felling of green Khair trees in Jasrota Wild Life Sanctuary in district Kathua and placed concerned Forest Guard/Helper under suspension.
Official sources said that over a dozen full grown Khair trees were axed in Wild Life Sanctuary area under Compartment No. 2 JSR recently by some alleged smugglers. The locals of the area informed concerned Wild Life Warden Kathua, Rajbag police and also district Administration.
Taking cognizance of the issue, Wild Life Warden Kathua-Samba, Vijay Kumar along with other officials visited the site and informed Chief Wild Life Warden, J&K, SK Gupta. The visiting team found about nine stumps of the Khair trees recently felled but revealed that number could be more.
On the directions of the CWLW, the Forest Guard/ Helper Subhash Sharma was placed under suspension and a three member inquiry committee was constituted. The explanation of the Range Officer, Jasrota Gulshan Singh has also been sought in this connection.
The Inquiry Committee members are-Narinder Kumar, Range Officer Kathua, Rajesh Kumar I/C Assistant Director FPF Gama Unit J-3 Kathua and Dheeraj Rampaul, Block Officer, Mansar, Wildlife Division Kathua. They have been asked to submit detailed report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Chief Wild Life Warden, J&K SK Gupta said that an inquiry has been ordered and an FIR has also been lodged at Rajbag Police Station. One official has been placed under suspension and the role of other officials is also under observation. The Committee has been asked to fix responsibility and assess quantum of damage caused to the Forest, Gupta added.
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