Uttarakhand: Case of cutting of protected trees, minister’s son may be in trouble, DFO investigated on the spot
The noose is tightening around the son of a Uttarakhand minister in the case of illegal tree felling in the Laladhang range of Lansdowne Forest Division. In the case, the DFO has reached the spot and investigated and prepared a report on illegal tree felling. However, a case has already been registered in this case for cutting two trees of protected category.
In Uttarakhand, the minister’s son has been accused of illegally cutting trees to build a resort. After the case came to light, the forest department has started investigating it and has also registered a case on illegal felling of protected trees. This entire episode is related to the cutting of trees present in private land on Neelkanth Marg of Laladhang range.
According to the information, the son of a big minister of Uttarakhand is building a resort on this private land. It is alleged that during this time the trees present on the land have been cut. After the forest department team reached the spot, investigation revealed that a total of 26 trees have been cut here. However, 24 of these trees are said to be of exempted species, that is, trees for which there is no need to take permission from the forest department for felling. Apart from this, there are two trees which are of protected species, for which permission from the forest department is required, but no permission was taken from the department for them.
DFO himself did the inspection
DFO Akash Gangwar inspected the area after the case came to light. During this, it was found that more than 20 trees are still present on this land. In such a situation, the forest department is getting these trees numbered. When ETV Bharat spoke to the regional DFO, he said that-
After this case came to light, I myself went to the spot for investigation. I have taken complete information about the condition of the trees present on private land as well as the trees that were cut.
– Akash Gangwar, DFO, Lansdowne –
Forest Minister’s statement: When ETV Bharat spoke to Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, he said-
Whoever is guilty of illegally cutting trees in this case, strict action will be taken against him as per the rules. He has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Strict action will be taken after the investigation report comes out.
- Subodh Uniyal, Forest Minister, Uttarakhand Government –
Now know what the rule says: Even though an investigation is being conducted in this case and department officials are reaching the spot to inspect it to crack down on the guilty people, but under the Tree-Protection Act, no major action can be taken in this case. According to the Tree-Protection Act, the Forest Department has the right to impose a penalty of ₹5000 per case for illegally cutting a tree of a protected species.
