Centre directs Maharashtra on de-reservation

Taking a serious view of deforestation of survey no 120 and 123, which had been notified as reserved forest by Karveer state gazette notification dated May 21, 1982, Pankaj Asthana, assistant inspector general of forests in a recent letter to Prem Kumar, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, has sought institution of a legal inquiry and disciplinary action against officers concerned.

Asthana said a detailed enquiry may be conducted into the matter as to how the legal status of the forest land was allowed to be changed despite the opinion of the principal chief conservator of forest, Maharashtra and orders of the Supreme Court being contrary to it.

Antler seizure sets off alarm

Conservationists’ fears of a growing trade in shed antlers have been confirmed with the seizure of 73 kg of antlers in the Deolapar forest range of Nagpur Territorial Division on Monday.

On January 5, the Ministry of Environment and Forests had given special permission to antler traders to exhaust their unsold stocks within six months, raising eyebrows among conservationists who said it would boost the illicit antler trade banned by the Supreme Court in 1998. The Indian Express had highlighted the issue on March 6.

After this week’s seizure, offences were registered against seven, six of whom are absconding; 201 pieces were found on them. The consignment could have been meant for Kamptee, the main antler product manufacturing centre near Nagpur.