Jharkhand: Forest patrol foils firewood smuggling bid in Palamu, one arrested
Daltonganj, June 25: An alert forest patrol team of the Medininagar Forest Division foiled an attempt to smuggle firewood and arrested one…
Daltonganj, June 25: An alert forest patrol team of the Medininagar Forest Division foiled an attempt to smuggle firewood and arrested one person after intercepting a three-wheeler on the Panki-Daltonganj main road.
The accused, identified as Arjun Prasad (42), was allegedly transporting illegally sourced firewood. Forest officials seized the vehicle and the timber before producing him in court. He was later sent to judicial custody under various provisions of the Indian Forest Act.
Officials said Prasad, a resident of Manglapur under Panki police station, is a habitual offender in forest-related cases.
Firewood seized, probe on source
The seized firewood included sheesham, sidha and aasun varieties. The total volume of the seized timber was around 1.5 cubic feet.
Sources said the wood is suspected to have been illegally felled from the Taal forest.
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Forest department intensifies crackdown
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Satyam Kumar said, “Our forest patrol teams continue to act against the illicit and illegal transportation of forest produce. I have given strict directions to foil any attempt to destroy or damage forest habitats.”
Officials said that during the first six months of this year, forest patrol teams have seized more than half a dozen vehicles allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of timber. Significant quantities of timber have also been confiscated.
Sources claimed that the slowdown of MGNREGA works and its replacement by VB G RAM G has forced some people to depend on forests for firewood and other necessities.
The Medininagar Forest Division, however, has intensified its drive against illegal tree felling and the transportation of forest produce.
