Felling of trees: Officials’ role under scanner
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 31
Officials of the Forest Department are under the scanner in a case pertaining to illicit felling of more than 400 trees in the Koti forest range on the outskirts of Shimla.
After preliminary investigations, the police today called forest officials for questioning to ascertain if there was any attempt for abetment of crime as it has come to notice that illicit felling was continuing for the past some time.
The investigating agencies claimed that illicit felling of trees was done to clear 40 bighas (eight acres) for setting up a stone crusher and forest officials are in the dock as accused Bhup Ram had sought permission from various statutory authorities. “Whether there is abetment of crime or it was sheer negligence will be known only after the enquiry,” the police said.
The accused had claimed that he got permission from mining officer, forest officials and other departments concerned. The police are investigating whether there was any connivance of the officials in perpetuating the offence.
The forest officers, including Divisional Forest Officer, Assistant Conservator of Forests, forest ranger, beat officer and two guards were questioned today, while the Conservator was out of station and would be joining the investigation tomorrow, said DSP (city) Dinesh Sharma.
