The Forest Department today attached Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mahore Forest Division for negligence in felling of dozens green in the division in last week of September this year.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) J&K Forest Department on October 27, 2022 attached DFO Mahore Mohinder Singh. The actions taken, following the reckless cutting of green gold in the forests of Mahore division of Reasi district and the department had ordered an enquiry. The cutting of Forests exposed by the media as such Forest Department ordered an inquiry into this whole incident as allegations being levelled of the involvement of forest officials in this loot of green gold.
“In pursuance to the report of APCCF Jammu received vide no CCF/J / damage 22/ M/1889 25/10/2022 and pending inquiry ordered vide this order no. 265 of 2022 dated 9.10.2022 into the damage no. Co No. 76/ of Tuli beat and 81/GG Banna Block, Mahore Range, Mahore Forest Division, Mohinder Singh ACF, DFO Mahore is, here by attached in the O/o of PCCF & HoFF with immediate effect”, read the order no. 280 of 2022 dated 27.10.2022. Sanjay Gupta ACF attached in the O/o PCCF J&K will hold the charge of Mahore range division in addition to his own duties till further orders.
Earlier, after the incident, Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment accompanied by the senior officers of forest department visited the spot for first hand information. Since the day when this incident took place, efforts were made of some Forest officials to shift blame on top bosses of the department, but timely intervention by the administrative department did not allow to succeed the nefarious designs of habitual offenders, who use media to blur their misdeeds. Surprisingly, in this case some lower rung officials (clerk) tried their best to defame an IFS officer, but some whistle blower took the matter with higher authorities and finally truth-prevails.