Irregularities galore in granting TP for felled timber in Washim

Nagpur: The forest department’s job is to save trees and discourage illicit felling, but a classic case has come to the fore in Malegaon (Washim) where forest officials are themselves allegedly promoting tree felling by unlawful means.
Papers in possession of TOI show that applicant farmer Jagganath Narayanrao Thakre, Borala, had sought permission to fell 120 teak trees on his private land under the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act, 1964.
Of these 120 trees, 86 were allowed to be felled by the Malegaon RFO and tree officer Suhas B More in February 2022. The total timber of the felled trees weighed 8.382 cubic metres through 163 logs.
The tree officer inspected the produce and recommended assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Vipul Rathod to issue a mandatory transit pass (TP) to transport the material. Surprisingly, Rathod issued a TP on July 6, 2022, for 16.430 cubic metres, which comes to 270 teak logs.
In his complaint to principal secretary (forest) B Venugopal Reddy, PCCF (HoFF) YLP Rao, and other higher-ups, applicant buyer of the said timber Santosh M Ghuge, Medshi, alleged that forest officials are encouraging timber traders and buyers of such produce to indulge in illicit felling by giving TP for additional timber than what has been felled.
Showing all the relevant documents and TP, Ghuge said, “In the present case, the volume of felled logs is 8.282 cubic metres. Despite knowing well the forest officials issued a TP for 16.430 cubic metres allegedly to extract additional money per cubic metres from me.”
“Under normal circumstances, only Rs 100 is charged to get a TP as per the government rates. However, Rs 6,000 per cubic metre is demanded by foresters from farmers to have a hassle-free TP. The amount varies further depending on the volume of timber felled,” said Ghuge.
Ghuge also released an audio of a forester from Kinhiraja HD Rathod demanding money for the issuance of TP. In the audio the forester is asking Ghuge to transfer money on a cell number of his son or transfer to his bank account.
The forester is also saying that even if a wrong TP is issued, he cannot do anything as he has to follow the orders of his seniors. The audio also exposes a racket of sorts going on in Malegaon territorial range in the Washim division regarding issuing faulty TPs. Another timber buyer Sheikh Rafique has also lodged a complaint for issuing wrong TP by foresters showing less volume of timber than felled.
Talking to TOI, Washim deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) Anand Reddy said, “We have received the complaint and DFO (vigilance) is conducting an inquiry. We have also received the audio clips of the forester who has been issued a show-cause notice. If found involved he will be suspended. Role of ACF and RFO will also be probed.”
When asked how can a TP be issued for more produce when there is less yield, DyCF Reddy said, “I’m told that a combined TP for two proposals has been issued. Let the report first come in then action will be taken against all involved.” However, papers show that in Ghuge’s case only one TP has been issued with the exaggerated volume of timber.
FACTS OF THE CASE
* Borala farmer Jagganath Thakre seeks permission to fell 120 trees on his farm
* After holding his case for 4 months, RFO allows felling of 86 trees (8.382 cumt)
* ACF gives TP for 270 teak logs (16.430 cumt)
* Buyer Santosh Ghuge lodges complaint on July 25 as this practice encourages illicit timber felling and corruption
* Washim DyCF orders inquiry. No action yet