Forest dept. disputes claims of large-scale tree cutting in Malnad districts
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Officers examine forest areas after assertion by Karnataka Biodiversity Board Chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara
The Forest Department officers of Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts have disputed Karnataka Biodiversity Board Chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara’s latest assertion that unlawful cutting of timber had gone up in forest areas through the lockdown. The officers have written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests refuting the remarks of the board’s chairman, after spot visits.
‘Complaints received’
Mr. Ashisara, in a press launch not too long ago, had stated that he had acquired complaints of large-scale tree cutting at Vagarerahalli in the Kadur vary. He had said forest vegetation in 480 acres had been misplaced. In Balur forest of Mudigere taluk, 472 timber had been minimize and in Koppa division, greater than 42 acres of forest had been misplaced. He additionally listed comparable incidents in components of Sorab, Hosanagar and Thirthahalli taluks in Shivamogga district.
The chairman had stated that miscreants had exploited the lockdown state of affairs to chop timber, and that he had submitted a report primarily based on the data gathered to Forest Minister Arvind Limbavali.
Following the claims, senior officers visited the locations cited and submitted an in depth report back to the division heads. An incident involving the cutting of 25 timber was reported in Sorab taluk not too long ago and the accused had been arrested. Except for that, nothing was discovered on the bottom. A senior officer in Shivamogga district, who wished to not be named, stated, “No major tree felling has happened in the recent days.”
Spot inspection
In Chikkamagaluru, Deputy Conservators of Forests performed inspection and submitted studies. Sunil Panwar, Conservator of Forests of Chikkamaglauru, visited two locations and submitted a report. “I have inspected the spots and the forest area is intact. We will verify if the board chairman gives us specific information about any illegal tree cutting in the forests of our circle,” he stated.
When The Puucho contacted Mr. Ashisara, he stated he had no copy of his report with him in the meanwhile and that he would focus on the problem after a number of days.
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