PANAJI
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to suspend the Range Forest Officer (RFO) and to conduct an inquiry into the then Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) in connection with hill cutting in the eco-sensitive Vagheri hills at Sattari.
“Despite the department taking action and stopping the work at Vagheri hills, some people have taken law into their own hands and resumed work without permission from the TCP and Forest Departments,” stated Vishwajit Rane in a series of tweets.
“I have instructed the PCCF to suspend the RFO on duty, and a show-cause notice has been sent to the then DCF in charge. If the explanation is not satisfactory, the DCF will be suspended as well.”
“No hill cutting, filling of low-lying fields, khazan lands, or similar activities will be tolerated. Similarly, I have directed the DCF to keep an eye on the lapses happening in the department; such lapses will not be tolerated,” warned the minister.
Following the reports of large scale tree cutting at Vagheri forest, the forest department had initiated action a few days ago.
