Two timber smugglers detained in Doda, DFO and RO removed
Bhadarwah, Mar 14 (PTI) Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district have detained two timber smugglers here under the Public Safety Act, and removed the divisional forest officer and range officer from their positions as part of a crackdown on smuggling, officials said on Friday.
The action follows a November 26 media report on the illegal felling of over 100 conifer trees in Tanta Block under the Chirala range of Bhaderwah forest division, they said.
Following the report, multiple teams were constituted by the principal chief conservator of forests and the conservator of forests in Chenab to assess the situation, officials said.
Sandeep Kumar, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, said that investigations confirmed the illegal logging. Action was taken based on the investigations and the past records of those involved, he said.
“Two habitual offenders have been booked under the Public Safety Act. They were detained last night and lodged in jail,” Kumar said.
