Forests are nature’s powerhouse. Apart from providing food and wood, they also energize us in various other ways. On one side, the Government’s slogan is “Save forest, save life” and on the other, mafias are destroying the forests in nexus with Forest Department officials.
An incident has come to the fore where valuable trees like Sahaj, Bandhan, Sishu, Karala, Halan, Saguan worth lakhs of rupees were incised in Barpahad forest near Chahtakhol village in Lachhipur Forest section under Sonepur range.
As per the reports, wild animals likely tiger, bear, barha and elephants staying in the forest are often killing and eating domestic animals like cows, goats and sheep. So locals are afraid of going into the deep forest. Taking advantage of this, Mafias are cutting and selling away valuable trees. Around 1.5 km from the road into the forest, it was found that many trees have been cut down and some trees have lain down on the land.
Informed, District Forest Officer (DFO) Rasmi Ranjan Naik ordered ACF Hemant Sahu and Ranger Ranjan Mohanty to visit the spot. They along with Forester Binod Sahu went to the forest and found lots of cutting trees lain down on the land. They seized as many as 76 piece of big wood and all the cutting trees. Locals alleged that illegal cutting of trees has been going in the area under the nose of local forest officials. Firstly, Mafias send some people to the forest to mark the trees to be cut. After some days, the trees are cut down and loaded in a vehicle by another party. At nights, Mafias transport woods on secret roads.
“If forest guards or forest officials are doing their duty, then how huge numbers of trees are incised and transported illegally, wanted to know locals.
When contacted, DFO Nayak said though the ACF has already conducted an investigation, he is yet to receive report from him. He said he would take appropriate action against officials found guilty. However, the ACF said he has already given inquiry reports to the DFO.
From the mismatching statements, it is evident that the senior officials are trying to drape the matter. “Though the Government is executing many programmes to protect forests, it seems that those spending of public money have become earning sources of some greedy people and Government officials,” locals pointed out.
They demanded a high-level inquiry against the Forester and other officials who are helping Mafias in smuggling valuable woods.