In the Hassan district of Karnataka, the Forest Department has taken the disciplinary measure of suspending five officials, in responding to accusations of unauthorized tree felling and wood smuggling.
This development unfolded in the aftermath of the arrest of Vikram Simha, the brother of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha, in connection with a case related to the illicit chopping of more than 126 trees.
The revelation of this incident occurred when Mamata, the tehsildar (revenue official), conducted a field visit on December 16, uncovering the unlawful tree felling. In response, she promptly notified relevant authorities and initiated the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).
Subsequently, the Karnataka government took decisive action by issuing suspension orders against five officials, including the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for Hassan District, Mohan Kumar. The other suspended personnel encompass an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), a Range Forest Officer (RFO), a Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO), and one additional staff member.
Vikram Simha stands accused of leasing three acres of land for ginger cultivation in the Hassan district but purportedly exceeded the designated area, resorting to the felling of trees spanning 12 acres for cultivation purposes. This alleged transgression has resulted in a series of administrative actions aimed at addressing the unauthorized tree felling and associated violations within the jurisdiction of the Forest Department in Hassan.
