Forest officer suspended in Handwara for failure to check illegal construction of bridge

Kupwara, May 15: In a significant move to uphold environmental laws, the authorities have suspended a local forest officer of Forest Division Langate for failing to prevent the illegal construction of a bridge on protected forest land in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

An official communiqué in this regard by Conservator of Forests, Kashmir North Circle, Sopore states that it was discovered that the Border Roads Organization (BRO) began constructing a bridge on compartment 32/b, Mawer Forest Block, without securing the necessary approvals from the Forest Department and in utter violation of the Provisions of Indian Forest Act 1927 & Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The order noted that while the BRO had applied for approval through the online Parivesh portal, construction commenced before the approval process was completed. This premature action affected 17 trees and an area of 0.324 hectares, inflicting substantial damage on the forest ecosystem.

Moreover, the same agency is implicated in another project in the Nowgam Forest Block, involving the installation of a stone crusher. Despite having approval for this project, the extraction of boulders and stones from a nearby stream was undertaken without proper authorisation.

The order specifically criticised Mohammad Aslam Lone, the Block Forest Officer of Nowgam Block, and his staff for their failure to intervene. Their inaction was labeled as unacceptable and negligent, prompting immediate disciplinary action.

Mohammad Aslam Lone has been suspended with immediate effect and attached to the Divisional Officer in Kamraj Forest Division, Zangli Kupwara. The Divisional Forest Officer of Langate has been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the case to facilitate a thorough departmental investigation.

During his suspension, the suspended forester will receive a subsistence allowance, equivalent to half of his regular pay and allowances, provided he certifies that he is not engaged in any other employment, reads the order.