Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: After receiving specific information regarding illegal movement of Forest Produces, a team of Forest Officials headed by Ajit Chander Range Officer Bahu along with anti encroachment team constituted by Dr. V.S. Senthil Kumar Divisional Forest Officer, Jammu laid a naka near SIDCO Complex Bari Brahmana and seized a Jonga bearing registration No:-JK02C-3896 loaded with firewood of broad leave species coming towards SIDCO complex Bari Brahmana.
The driver of the vehicle namely Bablu Singh S/o Chaman Singh R/o Smailpur failed to produce any valid document regarding transportation of firewood. During the preliminary enquiry the driver of the vehicle stated that the firewood is taken to M/s Gulab Din Saw Mill owned by Sadiq Hussain S/o Gulab Din R/o Badori.
In a second massive operation a naka was laid near village Jhung & seized a Jonga (608) bearing registration No: JK02-6627 loaded with firewood of broad leave species. The driver of the vehicle namely Anil Kumar S/o Bodh Raj R/o Bandrali Tehsil & district Samba have failed to produce any valid document regarding transportation of firewood and during the preliminary enquiry the driver of the vehicle stated that the firewood is taken to M/S Mailk Saw Mill Dhamore owned by Nazir Hussain S/o Mohd Israil R/o Dhamore Tehsil & Distt Samba. Both the Vehicles were seized under Section 26 of J&K Forest Act, (Amended 1997). The Range Officer, Bahu had also filed both the case before the authorised officer, Jammu Forest Division for initiating of confiscation proceedings.
Accordingly the authorized officer have initiated confiscation proceedings in the cases under Section 26 of J&K Forest Act, (Amended 1997).
Apart from this, a team of forest field staff of Bahu Forest Range headed by Ajit Chander, Range Officer, Bahu under the direct supervision of Dr. V.S. Senthil Kumar DFO Jammu had dismantled and seized two electric poles, alongwith six supports and six clamp which was illegally erected on the Forest Land in Comptt 51/D at Shama da-Talab by PDD.
While contacting DFO Jammu he mentioned that Forest Department had conducted search operations to apprehend the smugglers engaged in the illegal movement of firewood/timber. It is a major deterrent to the traders who are involved in illegal trading of Forest Produces. He appealed to the traders in general to refrain from illegal trading of Forest produces.
The operation was successful one where two vehicles loaded with firewood, two electric poles, along with six supports and six clamp were seized. He also mentioned that case has been registered for violation of Section 6, 15, 16, 36A and 39 of J&K Forest Act. The Department has initiated further investigation in the matter.