Question : Illegal Felling of Trees

(a) whether there are reports of the connivance of the officers and employees of the forest department in illegal felling of trees in the forests;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the details of the officers/employees found involved therein and the action taken against them during the last three years, State-wise; and
(c) the number of officers and employees out of the said identified officials who are serving under Government establishments at present and the reasons for their continuation in service?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (c) The statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFFERED IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *255 DUE FOR 28.12.2018 REGARDING ILLEGAL FELLING OF TREES ASKED BY SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK AND SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA

(a) to (c) Complaints relating to connivance of the officers and employees of State Forest Departments in illegal felling of trees are dealt with by the competent authority in the State Government under the rules applicable to State Government employees.

Protection and Management of trees is primarily the responsibility of State /Union Territory Governments. There are strong legal frameworks for protection and management of tree resources of the country which include the National Forest Policy,1988, Indian Forest Act, 1927, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and State Forest Acts/State Specific Tree Preservation Acts and Rules, etc.

The State /UT Government take appropriate actions in accordance with the provisions made under these acts/ rules for protection of forests.
The Ministry had received only one communication on 01.03.2016 regarding alleged involvement of forest official in felling of trees in Tripura. The complaint was sent to State Government for further inquiry and necessary action as per rules applicable to the officials concerned.

It was informed by the State Government that inquiry was conducted and on the basis of the inquiry two Government Employees (Forest Ranger and Forester) were found involved and disciplinary action against these government employees have been initiated by the State Government under the punishment and appeal rules applicable in the State.


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