Police complaint filed over violation of forest laws

The Punjab Forest Department has flagged concern over efforts by certain persons to carve out a passage in the forest area at Siswan, which was closed under Section 4 of the Punjab land Preservation Act (PLPA).

In a complaint to the police, the Forest Range Officer stated that one Rajiv Bajaj, an employee of WWICS, had cut the land in Khasra No. 201 and 227 closed under the PLPA. Pictures of the violation were attached with the complaint. The officer stated that despite being warned about the violation, damage to trees had been done.

Notably, cutting of land closed under the PLPA was in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Supreme Court guidelines.

Contradicting the facts, Devinder Singh Sandhu of the firm said there was no violation and a revenue path existed in the area and access of the rightful land owners was being denied.