Shimla, Jan 14 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Forest MinisterGobind Thakur today warned that stringent action would betaken against illicit felling of trees as he asserted thestate government's commitment to eradicate forest, drug,liquor and mining mafia.
The minister, who visited the Koti forest range nearShimla, where 400 trees were illegally felled and assuredstringent action against the culprits.
Thakur, accompanied top officers of forest department,interacted with locals who said that illicit felling of treeswas going on for the past three years.
He directed forest department officers to submit a reportabout illegal felling of trees within a week.
Following a complaint by Range Forest officer Anu Thakurthat about 400 trees of different species like Baan, Deodarand Chir (Pine trees) had been illegally felled in Koti ForestRange, a case was registered under various sections of theIndian Forest Act and 379 of the Indian Penal Code at DhalliPolice Station.
On investigations it was found that illicit felling oftrees had taken place on government and private land atBhalwog Beat at Koti Range and approximately 400 trees ofdifferent species, were lying on the spot.
The police recovered about 300 trunks of felled tree andalso recovered timber from the spot and 33 bags of coal fromthe accused who was named in the FIR.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) hasalso ordered an enquiry into the matter but no arrest has beenmade so far, officials said.
Investigations are in progress and the culprits would bearrested soon, the minister said. PTI PCLADS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.