n STATE TIMES NEWS
DODA: One hundred and eighty six (186) scants of Kail/Deodar have been seized while over 100 Kanals of encroached forest land has been retrieved in Dessa Block of Siraj Range by the Doda Forest Division in collaboration with Forest Protection Force.
Based on specific information, a joint search team headed by DFO Doda, Abhijeet Joshi and Dy. Director FPF Doda, Ravinder Singh, conducted search operation in Sanool (Gaddi) Forest Block Gadi and seized 186 scants of Kail/Deodar (approx. 700 cft), lying in the premises of the houses of villagers and some buried in the fields. The seized stuff has been shifted TSD Doda for safe custody. The confiscation proceedings under Section 26 of J&K Forest Act have been initiated.
The concerned staff has been directed to clarify their position why they have failed to check the damage by not taking timely cognizance of the matter.
Meanwhile, a joint enquiry committee of territorial as well as FPF staff comprising Dev Raj Bhagat, Range Officer, Soil Doda, Neeraj Gupta, Range Officer Siraj, Suresh Inthall Asstt. Director FPF and Om Raj inspector administration has been constituted to investigate the source of the timber and the authenticity of the sanctions claimed if any.
In another major operation conducted by the joint team of Forest/FPF officials, 100 Kanals of encroachment in forest area is evicted in Compartment 40/Sj of Dessa Block.
It is pertinent to mention here that prompt and timely action by Forest Department has led to the eviction of 201 Kanals of Forest land from encroachment, and seized around 750 cft of illegal timber from different locations of Doda Forest Division during last few weeks. Similar operations shall continue in future also, to bring illicit damages/ smuggling of timber and encroachment of Forest land to zero level, DFO Doda said.
