Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 22: Forest Department Kathua seized a truck loaded with illegally extracted timber/firewood at Anna Danga Forest Check Post under Jasrota Forest Range here today.
Officials said a joint naka was laid at Anna Danga Forest Check Post of Jasrota Range consisting of officials of Territorial Forest and Forest Protection Force , on a specific tip off late last night which apprehended and seized a truck bearing Registration Number, HP387F -9696 which clandestinely was transporting timber/fuel wood of Bombax (Simbal) and Syzygium. (Jamun) under a counterfeited NOC generated through NTPS showing the loaded stuff to be of Eucalyptus which is an exempted entity under J&K Forest Produce Transit Rules-2020.
A case under relevant Section (s) of the Indian Forest Act,1927 has been registered in this regard and further proceeding for confiscation of illegal timber /fuel wood under Sec-52 of the Act are underway in the Court Divisional Forest Officer, Kathua, officials said.
The whole operation was carried out under the overall supervision of Dr. Rajan Singh , DFO Kathua and closely monitored by Rakesh Sharma , Range Officer Jasrota. The team comprising of FPF officials and Territorial Forest staff of Block Mastgarh , was headed by Shiv Kumar Block Officer Mastgarh .
Pertinent to mention that the tendency of some unscrupulous elements to smuggle the timber/fuel wood outside the limit of UT of J&K is on an inclining trend which has been banned by Supreme Court’s direction in writ petition ( Civil) No:- 171/96 judgement on dated 12/12/1996 and all out efforts are being put earnestly by available staff of Kathua Forest Division assiduously to curb the same.
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