Uttarakhand: Case of felling of trees in Surai forest range, Deputy Leader of Opposition accuses Forest Department of corruption, will meet CM and Forest Minister

Congress Khatima MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Bhuvan Kapri has accused the Forest Department of gross irregularities and corruption in the felling of trees in Surai forest range. The MLA has also accused the cutting of thousands of teak trees without permission and has also talked about loss of revenue by showing the category of trees as low. Bhuvan Kapri has demanded strict action against the guilty forest workers by meeting the Chief Minister and Forest Minister soon in the said case.

Khatima MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Bhuvan Kapri has made a serious allegation of corruption against the Forest Department in a press conference at the Congress office in the city. MLA Kapri said that during the felling of 24 thousand 2 hundred 94 teak trees by the Forest Department in Lot No. A, B, C, D and No. 2024-25 under Surai forest range, about 21 thousand 5 hundred 47 trees were declared unfit, which is about 89%.

He said that if 89% of the trees were unfit, then why was there so much hurry in felling them? Trees were felled without completing the departmental process. Bhuvan Kapri said that if the trees were of A-category, the density of wood would be around 70%, density in B (fit) category is around 50% and density in unfit category is around 30%. The Deputy Leader of Opposition alleged that the density was already reduced by the Forest Department in Chhapan. Due to which the department has suffered a lot.

Regarding this matter, he made serious allegations of collusion and corruption against the employees of the Forest Department. He said that during felling, evidence of the roots of the trees will also be erased. Due to which no evidence will be found in future investigations. He has demanded the government to take strict action against the officials involved in this case. MLA Kapri said that the Chief Minister and Forest Minister will be met soon regarding this matter and the said matter will be brought to their notice. Also, action will be demanded against the guilty forest workers.