Government orders DFO’s retirement a year in advance

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 17

The state government today ordered the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) concerned to retire with immediate effect as he reportedly had failed in taking timely cognisance of large-scale illicit tree felling in the Khokra forest area of Nalagarh Forest Division.

Confirming the news, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Forests and Revenue, Tarun Shridhar, said: “The DFO, SP Singh, was to retire on December 1 next year, as the state government had increased the retirement age to 59, but given his failure to check large-scale illicit felling in his division he has been retired today with immediate effect.”

Shridhar said a joint inspection of the affected area was conducted today by the SDM Nalagarh as well as the forest officials, where it had been confirmed that the total number of trees felled illegally was 169 and the type of land involved was a shamlat land.

He said he was awaiting the report of Anil Thakur, Conservator, Bilaspur circle, on this issue and further action would depend on its findings. A report from the SDM has also been sought.

ACS Tarun Shridhar had yesterday issued strict directions that senior forest officials would be held accountable if any illicit felling was detected from their area and DFO Nalagarh has become thefirst officer to face action following illicit felling in his jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Nalagarh police today registered a case of theft under Section 379 of the IPC and the Indian Forest Act against Amar Nath.

The action follows the receipt of a demarcation report submitted by Tehsildar Nalagarh, where it was mentioned that out of the 169 trees, which the Forest Department claims were felled illegally, only 38 belonged to Amar Nath’s land while the remaining were felled on the shamlat land belonging to the Revenue Department.

Superintendent of Police G Shiva confirmed that a case of theft had been registered against Amar Nath after the receipt of the demarcation report as he had stated yesterday that he had felled 165 trees from his private land and added that if connivance of the forest officials was detected while investigating the case they too could be booked.

Conservator Anil Thakur too conducted a field inquiry into this incident today and its report was to be submitted to the ACS tomorrow.

BJP demands Forest Minister’s resignation

Shimla: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal today said the illegal felling of trees in Nalagarh indicates that the forest mafia prevailing in the state is fearless and enjoys support of the state government. He said impartial investigation in the cases of illegal falling of trees was possible only after Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri resigns. — TNS