DCF suspended in Karnataka for permitting illegal felling of trees in Virajpet
The suspension order stated that in April 2022, the former DCF of Virajpet division, Y Chakrapani, approved the axing of 66 teak trees based on forged revenue documents.
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The suspension order said that the conservator of forests, Kodagu circle, Madikeri, has submitted his report regarding the involvement of Chakrapani in the illegal felling of trees. (File photo) The state government Wednesday suspended deputy conservator of forest (DCF), Bengaluru Urban, Chakrapani Y for allowing illegal felling of trees at Kutta village in Virajpet during his tenure in the forest division.
The suspension order said that the conservator of forests, Kodagu circle, Madikeri, has submitted his report regarding the involvement of Chakrapani in the illegal felling of trees. “The additional principal chief conservator of forests (vigilance), Bengaluru, has also in this investigation found the involvement of the officer,” the order said.
In 2022, a landowner, M N Ramesh, had sought the state forest department’s permission to fell six teak trees in his coffee estate. The suspension order stated that in April 2022, Chakrapani approved the axing of 66 teak trees based on forged revenue documents.
The suspension order read, “Chakrapani Y, the then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Virajpet Division, Virajpet, being the tree officer, gave the felling permission for cutting 66 trees on the basis of forged revenue documents on the basis of incomplete file while showing undue haste. The felling order was given by the DCF without a joint survey report of Revenue and Forest Department, forged report of Tahsildar, Virajpet. It is evident from the available documents in file that the government seal and signature of officials of the revenue department was forged and used to give the felling order.”
The suspension order also stated that Chakrapani also issued the transport permit order to carry away the 66 teak trees.
“From the statement of field and official staff it is prima facie evident that the DCF had full knowledge of the issues and had knowingly issued the transit permit without following office procedure on file. The file pertaining to the above felling permission was prima-facie tampered at many places and at multiple times to hide the truth. The Government is also prima-facie satisfied that it is necessary to place Chakrapani Y, IFS (KN:2012), the then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Virajpet Division, Virajpet, presently working as Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru Urban Division, Bengaluru, under Suspension with immediate effect,” the order copy further said.
Early this month, the government suspended K Harish, DCF Hassan, for permitting quarrying in 21 acre of deemed forest land.
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