Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 27: The Government today ordered inquiry into the illegal felling of large number of green Kail and Deodar trees and recovery of over 1300 timber sleepers from the forest area and also from the houses of Forest officials and some locals in Mahore Sub Division of Reasi since yesterday while the Conservator of Forests Jammu West suspended two Foresters and three Guards and recommended suspension of two Range Officers allegedly involved in timber scam worth crores.
Official sources said that on the directions of the Forest Minister two Block Foresters Mohd Shafi from Budhan and Mukhtyar Ahmed from Dheda Block of Mahore Forest Division have been placed under suspension besides three Guards of the area. The Conservator of Forests Jammu West has also recommended suspension of two Rangers of the concerned Mahore and Gool Ranges to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
“Conservator of Forests Chenab Circle, MP Dogra has been directed to conduct thorough inquiry into the whole matter, fix responsibility and recommend action against the people involved. DFO Marwah Forest Division K Anand and DFO Doda, Abhijit Joshi are the inquiry committee members. The Committee has been directed to file detailed report within 15 days,” Minister for Forests, Ecology & Social Welfare Bali Bhagat told Excelsior here.
Mr Bhagat disclosed that for the first time in the history, such a major recovery has been made in anti-timber smuggling operation in the State in which a team of 60 Forest officials including three DFOs, an Assistant Director Forest Protection Force and policemen were involved. In just two days, over 3757 CFT Kail and Deodar timber involving nearly 1300 sleepers was recovered from two Forest Ranges of Gool and Mahore forests. Even 50 timber sleepers were recovered from the house of a Forester- Mukhtyar and nearly 30 odd from a Sarpanch of the area.
Giving more details, he disclosed that after receiving information, a special team was constituted three days back and besides DFO Mahore, Sajid Sultan, two more DFOs one from Jammu Division Dr V Senthil Kumar and another from Marwah Forest Division, K Anand were involved in the operation for better outcome. The staff not only from Mahore and Gool but also from Reasi, Jammu and Ramban Forest Divisions was involved in this well coordinated operation under CCF Jammu while he himself was closely monitoring it. Mr Bhagat said a nexus between the locals of the area and some Forest officials was exposed and broken. They are going to face the consequences as per law of the land. It has been found that some officials were placed there for more than 5-6 years and even more and they were enjoying higher posts being very junior with some political patronage.
Till late last evening nearly 800 sleepers had been recovered while today at the close, the number has gone up to 1300. Some more recovery is expected in near future. The team also faced some tough resistance of the locals. Out of the total 3757 CFT timber recovered, 977 CFT was recovered from Budhan block, 438 FCT from Dheda block while over 1841 CFT from Parthmohalla in Mahore. About 90 logs of Kail and Deodar species with average length of 20 ft were dumped in the ground in Budhan Forest area and unearthed with the help of some local informers. He admitted that this major felling of trees and smuggling is not possible without the involvement of some senior officials as it was not the task of just beat guards.
“We will try to bring out truth. Beginning has been made and some other areas have already been identified in Kashmir and other parts of Jammu including Rajouri-Poonch and Chenab region for such operations. In coming days, some more such operations would be launched there. Some officials tried to bring political pressure on officials through their God fathers but we will continue to work to protect our forests and bring the system accountable and transparent, without succumbing to any pressure,” Mr Bhagat maintained.
When asked about the value of the timber sleepers/ logs seized so far, he disclosed that as per rough figures provided by the officials, it could be around Rs 2 crores but in coming days, the figure may go higher as three teams out of total six, are still on the job. He said that CF Chenab would file the report after inquiry and many heads may roll after the report is received. Operation in Gulabgarh Range is yet to be commenced.
CF, Jammu West Sameer Bharti when contacted said that about a month back, a police vehicle (Tata 407) No. JK02BG/4154 was seized by Forest officials at Dhiangarh Check Post in Reasi. 25 timber sleepers were being smuggled to Reasi in it. There was no valid permission or any document with the driver (Police Constable). The vehicles along with timber was seized. Driver was detained for some time by officials at post who was giving contradictory statements. Later, SSP Reasi and DIG were informed about the matter and source of the timber and destination was sought from police officers. But the DFO Reasi had not been intimated in this regard by the police officials concerned. Two reminders have also been given to them in this regard but there is no cooperation and efforts were on to protect their own people. It was however, discovered that this timber had come from Mahore area on the instance of a DySP rank officials of the district. After inquiry, some more information was developed leading to this major nexus of locals of the area with some field staff members. He said the police vehicle was still with Forest officials and confiscation proceedings have been initiated in this regard.
Replying to another question Mr Bharti said that suspension of two Range Officers from Mahore Nissar Ahmed and Amarnath from Gool Range has been recommended to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A K Singh. Some, more officials may face action in this connection, he added.
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