Forest officials under VB scanner over missing trees

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 30

The role of state Forest Department officials is under the scanner as the Vigilance Bureau is probing the alleged illegal axing and selling of trees from forest areas in and around the city. There are reports that trees worth crores of rupees could be missing.

Vigilance officials confirm that a case has been registered following a raid at the Wildlife Park (Urban Forest), Nabha road, on Tuesday.

Trees in thousands are reportedly missing from Sanaur, Nabha, Patiala, Bhunarherhi and Banur areas. “A detailed probe is required and in case, the VB gets a survey conducted of the wood used at the residences of forest officers, retired and serving, the truth will be out,” claimed a senior functionary of the Forest Department.

Residents near Maine village have complained that valuable forest wood was stolen from the “bir” near their village and despite information, the forest officials are mum on the matter. “The forest officials usually show that trees of high quality wood damaged in forest fire. It is strange that the Forest Department, despite complaints and pending probes, have failed to act against the erring officials,” claimed a senior Vigilance officer.

“Grown date or palm trees were sold for as much as Rs3,500 per tree to marriage palace owners. Our teams have sealed the records to compile a detailed report,” said officials, after a raid in the Wildlife Park.

Pritam Singh, SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, said: “We have already written to the head office and a detailed report for a further probe in all forest land in Patiala and the actual count of trees will be done to know the truth.”