PANJIM: The Forest department has suspended Range Forest Officer John Fernandes for his alleged involvement in destruction of arecanut plantation in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Santosh Kumar in an order issued on Thursday has placed Fernandes under suspension pending disciplinary proceeding initiated against him related to alleged destruction of arecanut plantation.
The villagers of Verlem in Sanguem along with their local MLA Prasad Gaonkar had filed a complaint before Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant demanding stern action against the forest department official for damaging and cutting over 435 arecanut trees grown by the villagers.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, who now holds the Forest department, had assured the villagers to take the action against the officer involved in the incident.
The villagers had even informed the authorities that the forest officer was harassing and threatening them.
Fernandes has been directed to report to Panjim head office and that he will not be allowed to leave the office without obtaining permission of PCCF.
