Forest losing green cover at rapid pace
| Date :14-Oct-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau Vishrampuri/Raipur :
Oct 13
The greenery of the forests is vanishing with the relentless cutting of trees including teakwoods by forest mafias and smugglers. The encroachers have captured hundreds of acre forest land in different villages including Chanabhari, Dhaurabhatha, Bhalupani, Taparapani and Pangpani in Kosami and Pitchua areas of Vishrampuri. The encroachments on forest land have been continuing for the last 7-8 years. The villagers had protested against the denudation of trees as well as encroachments, leading to tensions between two groups. With the interference of administrative officials, the warring groups calmed down. It appears that encroachers have connivance with the forest and administrative officials.
This type of incident had already been witnessed several times when forest sleuths and police personnel had to return empty-handed. Villagers Maloram Netam, Dashrath Netam, Dalsai Paraste said that they had been making untiring efforts to save forests but encroachers are undeterred due to uncooperative attitude adopted by forest department as well as police and district administration. Despite repeated pleas to protect forests, no initiatives are being taken in this connection. Villagers informed that former Bastar king Bhanjdev had installed the idol of Brahmani Devi years ago in Chanabhari forests.
At that time, he had said that cutting of trees would not be allowed at any cost but now the encroachers are influential persons and forests have almost been denuded. On the complaint of villagers, Kamal Chandra Bhanjdev assured that cutting of trees would not be tolerated. The administration was alert for sometime and the trees were not cut. But now, illegal cutting of trees is going on without any check. It is alleged that valuable teakwoods are being felled down with the connivance of forest officials and smugglers in Makadi forest range villages including Gamari, Bagbeda and Bhatwa.
The smugglers got the teakwoods cut down, sawed and export the logs. There is a large number of teakwoods in the forest of Makadi and nearby areas. The teakwoods are used in the making of different furniture items like couch and bed. After cutting of trees, encroachers are capturing the forest land in the name of forest rights patta. Slowly and slowly forest area is decreasing.
The teakwoods on both sides of roads are also being felled down but the forest department officials have turned Nelson’s eye. Villagers alleged that with the nexus of forest officials, the encroachers are capturing the forest land. It is also alleged that the forest Ranger does not stay at headquarters, therefore, the smugglers undeterred in their nefarious designs. Villagers alleged that in Erla forest in Amravati Range a High School building is being constructed. The teakwoods are being felled down to use the woods in the construction. Meanwhile, Forest Ranger Kejuram Poyam informed that action had been taken in illegal cutting of trees and the woods seized.