Seizure of valuable timber from PTR, forester axed

LATEHAR: The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) authorities on Thursday suspended a forester for alleged involvement in illegal felling of tree and storing the consignment at a forest patrolling post in the reserve.

A group of village residents, acting on a tip-off, had on Tuesday raided a forest patrolling camp at Saidup in Chhipadohar (West) range and seized timber worth lakhs.

The camp was located in the core area of the tiger reserve, considered as a highly suitable habitat for tigers. The locals had called PTR’s senior forest officials and demanded immediate action against those involved in damaging the forest. Following this, PTR field director instituted a probe by the additional conservator of forest (ACF) level officer in this connection.

PTR field director YK Das said, “We have suspended forester Mani Prasad Yadav after finding his prima facie involvement in the incident. The forest guards present at the site had informed that the timber was stored there on Yadav’s direction.”

Das said the ACF had been asked to submit a report in 48 hours. “Once we get the report, we will decide on further action,” Das said.

The locals were particularly miffed by the involvement of forest staff in the case. Kanhai Singh, who led the agitation said, “It’s a shame that the same forest staff who send innocent villagers to jail for cutting trees are themselves involved in this illegal act.”