Forest Minister under fire from Oppn, ruling party

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, December 5

Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri today came under fire from the Opposition and the ruling party for illegal felling of trees on the first day of the winter session of the Assembly that started here today.

The Chief Minister also took a strict stand over the matter and said, "Nobody, even if it is my son, will be spared, if found involved in illegal felling of trees. The felling of trees is a crime against humanity.”

The debate over the illegal felling of trees was initiated at the proposal initiated by former minister and BJP MLA from Dehra Ravinder Singh Ravi. Ravi alleged that large scale felling of trees was taking place in Chamba, home district of the Forest Minister. He alleged that in Almi forest of Chamba 1,016 dry trees were marked for felling in 2012. However, the felling that took place in 2013, more than 2,000 trees were felled, including a large number of green trees.

He alleged that ruling party workers was involved in the felling of trees and the state government paid Rs 1 crore as transportation charges to contractors for shipping out the illegally felled trees. He alleged that Congress MLA from Dalhousie Asha Kumari wrote to the CM regarding the illegal felling of trees in Chamba but no action was taken.

Ravi alleged that some state cadre officials close to the minister were given posting in their home ranges. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the illegal felling of trees and misuse of afforestation funds.

Asha Kumari said trees were felled from her property in Chamba district by the forest mafia who were enjoying the support of those in power. She said at conservator informed her that the Forest Department had raised damage bill for the trees felled illegally from the forest area. However, raising the damage bill was like legalising the illegal felling of trees from the forest areas, she said.

She alleged that electric saws were being used by contractors for mass felling of trees in Chamba district.

She said Virbhadra Singh was known for his non-tolerance towards the illegal felling of trees. He was the first Chief Minister to ban the felling of trees in the state. She expressed hope that strict action would be taken against those felling green trees illegally in Chamba district.

Maheshwar Singh, the lone MLA of the HLP, said illegal felling could not take place without political protection. He said the case at Tara Devi came to the fore only after it was reported in The Tribune. He said trees were felled with connivance of those in power.

The Chief Minister, giving reply to the debate, termed the illegal felling of trees a serious matter. "I have taken note of the points raised by members of the House. Some people with criminal mentality do such job."

In the Tara Devi case, all concerned forest and revenue officials had been put under suspension. A case had been registered against the person who was responsible for felling of trees. Action was also being taken against those who were involved in felling trees in the Bagloi construction case, he said.

The CM said, "I will come down with a heavy hand against those felling trees. I am committed to protecting environment and will not spare anyone found involved in such cases. If I failed to act in the matter, I will consider it as my biggest failure,” the CM said.