Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has warned that the Government would act firmly against wood/timber smugglers and poachers in the State and would revoke Preventive Detention act for protecting forests.

The intelligence wing was in the process of identifying those who were felling trees in the forests illegally and smuggling timber, particularly in Adilabad, Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar district, the Chief Minister said at a review meeting held here on Saturday. He told the Forest Department authorities to appoint officers with highest integrity, commitment and dedication to protect forests.

More check posts would be set up in the forest areas ensure that smuggling of timber was prevented completely. He also wanted the officials to form joint flying squads comprising armed police and fore officials. Such squads should keep an eye on all routes in and out of the forest areas.

Further, he asked District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and District Forest Officers to evolve an action plan to protect forests. At the field level, Police Inspector and the Forest Range Officers together should own up the responsibility of protect forests. The existing forest act of Telangana required a thorough revamp to punish forest encroachers and smugglers.

The Chief Minister suggested the forest officers to work with the spirit of 'Jungle Bachaavo, Jungle Badhaavo' slogan for preserving and protest forests. He told the officials to deal with the smugglers sternly, however influential they were and even if thy belonged to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Further, he said in addition to making use of CAMPA funds green cess would be collected and donations collected from MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other elected representatives would be used for forest development along with CSR funds. To ensure that there was no deficiency of funds for forest protection a “Green Fund” would be created, he announced.