Probe suggests collusion of staff in tree cutting

the goan I network
PONDA

The two-member team inspected the site and submitted a report to the Director of Agriculture,
who will now hand over the report to the department's internal vigilance division for further inquiry.
About 15 Senegalia Catechu trees, locally know as Khair, were illegally felled at the Codar farm and following a preliminary inquiry, two persons were detained in the connection.
The value of the felled tress is estimated at Rs 12,000 and the wood extracts are in high demand along the border between Goa and Maharashtra for their
reddish tinge to tea and ‘Paan' (betel leaf).
Deputy Conservator of Forest Kuldeep Sharma had said that a report would be sent to the agriculture department.
Simultaneously, a two-member team from the Agriculture department also dashed to the Codar farm and prepared detailed report in the matter and will ascertain if the two accused had connived with staff to cut the trees.
When contacted, Director of Agriculture Ulhas Pai Kakode said further investigations would be
conducted by its internal vigilance division.
"Our two-member team visited the site and have prepared the report, suggesting that the cutting of trees would not have been possible without involvement of our staff. They have not ruled out this possibility. Hence, our internal vigilance division will investigate this case," said Kakode.