Forest minister seeks report on axing of 400 trees near Shimla

MATTER CAME TO LIGHT WHEN A NEW FOREST GUARD JOINED DUTY AND FOUND THAT TREES HAD BEEN FELLED IN THE FOREST AREA

SHIMLA : Days after over 400 trees were axed in Fanewat forest beat near Koti, 50km from Shimla, forest minister Govind Singh Thakur ordered a probe into the matter and has asked officials to submit the report in a week’s time.

Chief conservator of forest CK Sharma will investigate the matter.

On January 12, based on the complaint of a forest official, a case was registered against a local resident for axing trees on government as well as private land. The matter came to light when a new forest guard joined duty and inspected the area and found that over 400 tress in Koti have been axed.

When he asked the accused whether he has a permission to cut trees, the accused reportedly could only furnish the application for setting up a stone crusher.

Following this, the forest official then registered a case against him for illicit green felling, including 85 pine trees.

Sources privy to the case said that the accused’s permission to setup a crusher is pending. To avoid hindrance due to the green cover, he was gradually axing trees. “It is surprising that over 400 trees have axed but the local forest guard, the beat officer and the district forest officer were all unaware of it,” said a senior forest official, requesting anonymity. During the investigation, it was found that the accused had been burning the logs and transporting it in the form of charcoal.

On Sunday, Thakur visited the spot and directed officials to submit a report within one week. He also lauded the efforts of the guard and beat officer for reporting the case.

“It appears that tree felling was on since a long. it is possible that it was done under the patronage of someone. We will inquire about it and the culprits will not be spared,” Thakur said.

He added, “We will not tolerate mafia raj in the state and strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty in this case.”

He also spoke to the forest guard who inspected the beat and raised the alarm.

“Had the guard not inspected the area, tree felling would have gone unreported,” a senior officer said.

Meanwhile, deputy superintendent of police, city, Dinesh Sharma said a case has been registered under the forest act.