Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Apr 25: Amid lockdown when the entire globe is fighting deadly COVID-19 some unscrupulous elements have taken this an opportunity to inflict damage to forests.
During this lockdown information regarding forest damage were received from compartment No. 51 falling under Dossa II, Neeli Block of Bhallessa Range.
Acting swiftly DFO Bhadarwah Chander Shekhar along with Range Officer Bhallessa Sameer Rishu Range Officer and a team of Forest Protection Force went for combing operation in compartment No. 51.
During combing operation number of stumps of Kail which were freshly cut during this lockdown period has been reported.
In this entire search operation 210 cft of illegal timber has been seized, most of which was found in log form in jungle.
DFO Bhaderwah Chander Shekhar when contacted said it is a matter of great concern that this period of lockdown has been taken as advantage by smugglers and they have caused damage to forest areas.
“We are on toes and I have personally visited and combed compartment No. 51 and two days before my Range Officer also visited this area”, he added.
He stated that their field staff was unable to report damage on time and in view of the lackadaisical approach the concerned beat guard has been placed under suspension and delinquent Block Foresters has been recommended for attachment.
The forest team under the supervision of DFO Bhaderwah also seized one large size mechanical cutter.
The smugglers have been booked under the provisions of Section 26 of India Forest Action and action as warranted under rule shall be initiated, DFO asserted, adding that an inquiry in this matter will be conducted to investigate the role of field staff.
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