Zero Tolerance To Illegal Mining In Forest Areas : Sadhu Singh Dharamsot

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 20-Apr-2018

The Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister, Punjab, Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has said that zero tolerance policy would be followed in respect of illegal mining in the forest areas.Divulging this here today in a meeting with all the DFOs of Punjab, the minister while giving strict instructions to the forest department officials said that in case any information is received regarding illegal mining in any of the forest areas then the responsible officers and officials would face strict action. He also gave directions to the departmental officers to prepare complete report with regard to the illegal mining in the kandi region villages in Mohali district namely-Mullanpur, Paraul, Majri and Kharar.The minster also instructed the officers to ensure that the forest lands under illegal occupation are freed at the earliest and any difficulty in the matter should immediately be brought to his notice. He exhorted the officers to wage a campaign to get the forest lands under illegal encroachments vacated.Giving directions regarding the licence holders connected with the wood trade, Mr. Dharamsot said that if a licence holder doesn’t begins his operations in 3 to 6 months period then his licence is bound to be revoked. He also ordered the enquiry concerning the illegal construction of a resort at viilage kharora in Rupnagar in violation PLPA Act. The minister also instructed the officers to pull out all stops to implement green India mission and agro forestry schemes, stopping illegal felling of the trees and implanting medicinal plants.On the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Forests Mr. Satish Chandra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Jatinder Sharma and higher officers of the forest departments apart from all the DFOs were also present.