Doda Forest Division in collaboration with Forest Protection Force Doda seized 186 scants of Kail/Deodar and evicted 100 Kanals of Forest Land from Dessa Block of Siraj Range.Based on specific information, a joint search team headed by DFO Doda, Abhijeet Joshi and Dy. Director FPF Doda, Ravinder Singh, conducted search operation in Sanool (Gaddi) Forest Block Gadi and seized 186 scants of kail/Deodar (approx. 700 cft), some lying in the premises of the houses of villagers and some buried in the fields. The seized stuff is brought to TSD Doda for safe custody. The confiscation proceedings under sec. 26 of J&K Forest Act have been initiated.
The concerned staff has been directed to clarify their position why they have failed to check the damage by not taking timely cognizance of the matter.Meanwhile a joint enquiry committee of territorial as well as FPF staff Comprising of Dev Raj Bhagat, Range Officer, Soil Doda, Neeraj Gupta Range Officer Siraj, Suresh Inthall Asstt. Director FPF and Om Raj inspector administration has been constituted to investigate the source of the timber and the authenticity of the sanctions claimed if any.In another major operation conducted by the joint team of Forest/FPF officials, 100 Kanals of encroachment in forest area is evicted in Comptt. 40/Sj of Dessa Block.
It is pertinent to mention here that prompt and timely action by Forest Department has led to the eviction of 201 Kanals of Forest land from encroachment, and seized around 750 cft of illegal timber from different locations of Doda Forest Division during last few weeks. Such operations shall continue in future also, to bring illicit damages/ smuggling of timber and encroachment of Forest land to zero level, DFO Doda said.