Uttarakhand: Politics heated up over forest cutting and encroachment in Khalanga, Congress submitted a memorandum to the Chief Forest Conservator

Politics has started heating up on the issue of illegal felling of forests and land encroachment in Khalanga area. Congress leaders met the state’s Chief Forest Conservator Dr. Dhananjay Mohan on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum. The delegation was led by Youth INTUC state president Pankaj Singh Chhetri and Congress national spokesperson Sujata Paul.

Case registered against one in Khalanga forest felling case

The Congress delegation alleged that land mafias are illegally felling Sal trees in Khalanga area, which is a violation of environmental laws and also shows the negligence of the forest department. Chhetri said that this illegal felling was revealed when local journalist Rohit Verma and his wife Deepshikha Rawat made its information public through social media. After this, the department took action and seized the encroachment material and registered a case under the Forest Act against a person named Ashok Agarwal.

Congress demands action against land mafia

The Congress delegation demanded from the Chief Forest Conservator to form an independent investigation committee and conduct an impartial investigation of the case, keep the officials of Raipur Range away from the investigation, take suspension and disciplinary action against the guilty forest personnel and take strict legal action against the land mafia. Sujhata Paul said that the culprits should be punished so that the environment can be saved. At the same time, environmental activist Deepshikha Rawat warned that if action is not taken soon, the oxygen bank of Dehradun may be in danger.

Chief Forest Conservator assured survey

Chief Forest Conservator Dr. Dhananjay Mohan assured the delegation that a survey of the Khalanga area will be conducted, the report of the deemed forest will be sent to the government and illegal encroachments will be removed soon. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has also taken cognizance of the matter. After which the minister has directed the Chief Forest Conservator to investigate the matter and submit an immediate report. Along with this, Dehradun DM Savin Bansal has also been instructed to conduct a joint inspection with the forest department.