Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 24: The Government today attached DFO Basohli and Range Officer Bani and ordered constitution of a multi-departmental Enquiry Committee led by Conservator of Forests West Circle, Jammu, Vivek Verma, to go into the details and hold probe into the damages reported in Bani forests, fixing responsibility on the officials concerned and assess the quantum of losses caused to the Government property.
Official sources told the ‘Excelsior’ that on the directions of the Commissioner/ Secretary Forests, Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HOFF, Mohit Gera today constituted a four-member committee vide Govt Order No. 365 of 2021, dated 24-11-2021.
While, Vivek Verma, CF West Circle will head the Committee, the other three members are-Dy Director Forest Protection Force Jammu-I, Dharminder Sharma; In-charge Dy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Warden Kathua, Vijay Kumar Verma and Surinder Nath, Range Officer Grade-I, presently officer on duty in the office of Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu.
The committee has been directed to enquire into the damages caused in Compartment Nos. 29, 30 and 31 in Dhoulka and Koti Chandyar Blocks of Bani Range of Basohli Forest Division and submit the report to the Government within one week.
The 4-member committee has also been tasked to enquire into the role of the frontline/ field staff and lapses on their part and fix the responsibility of the field staff with quantum of damage caused to the Forests. The committee has also been directed to contact locals of the area, Panchayat members, concerned revenue and police officials to get complete feedback during the detailed inquiry, the sources added.
Meanwhile, the Government attached DFO Basohli Forest Division, Ravinder Singh and Range Officer, Bani, Narinder Verma to the office of Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu pending enquiry into the green felling in Bani Forest Range recently.
DFO Eco Task Force Basohli, Ashwani Kumar has been given the additional charge of Basohli Forest Division. Deepak Bogia, Range Officer Mahanpur Range in Basohli Division will hold the additional charge of Bani Range in addition to his own duties till further orders, official sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that ‘Excelsior’ exposed the scam with regard to massive green felling in Bani forests and smuggling of timber worth over Rs one crore in its November 24 issue. Taking cognizance of the matter, the Government today ordered fresh enquiry by involving officers from different Departments and attached two Forest officers.
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