PUNE: Assistant conservator of forest Deepak Pawar has issued suspension orders of three forest staffers, including a range forest officer, for negligence in taking action against illegal tree cutting on reserved forest land near Daund.
The action comes following a complaint by local villagers against these officers. The villagers had claimed that the staffers were allegedly supporting illegal activities in reserved forest area, spread over 5.5 to 6 hectares, near Daund. An investigation revealed that the trees were cut to illegally produce charcoal.
The suspended staffers were range forest officer Kalyani Godse, round officer Ravindra Magar, and forest guard Kiran Kadam. "Illegal cutting of trees was reported to us. We conducted primary investigation and found that the trees were cut due to negligence of these staffers. I have immediately issued their suspension orders. A detailed inquiry is being conducted in the matter," Pawar told TOI.He also said that illegal activities were reported by villagers to local forest staffers, but they did not take any action.
Sarpanch of Malthan village Parubai Pardeshi said, "The trees were cut in 7 to 8 spots in the reserved forest land and the activity was going on since January this year. Action was taken in this regrd only after we reported the matter to the senior forest officers in Pune."
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