MARGAO: The Forest Department has formed a special committee to investigate allegations of illegal transportation of wood in Canacona. Speaking to reporters, Prem Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for South Goa, said that a case would be registered immediately if the committee finds any illegalities related to the transportation of wood in Canacona.
The Opposition Congress on Tuesday came down heavily on the Forest Department and accused it of attempting to shield influential persons. The Congress leaders also grilled IFS officer Prem Kumar for not registering a ‘Forest Offence Report’(FOR) against Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and his accomplices for felling trees and
transporting it illegally in the southern taluka.
“The records show that one auction has been held and based on that RFO, Canacona has issued one transit pass for one load of wood. As of now, the official stand of the Department is that the transportation of one load has all the necessary documents. However, as per the allegations constituted a committee to inquiry into the matter,” said Kumar.
However, Kumar also
acknowledged that the department is yet to investigate the complaint.
Elvis Gomes, who was part of the Congress delegation, criticised the department for failing to take action despite a video related to the alleged transportation of wood going viral on social media.
“It was the duty of the department to immediately register the First Offence Report (FOR),” said Gomes. “Looking at the scenario of the incident, one can clearly see the attempts to suppress and destroy the evidence. The law applies unequally to common man and uncommon man.”
Congress member Girish Chodankar added, “By now, the forest department would have booked and arrested a common man if found engaged in cutting trees without permission, but here a huge quantity of trees being cut and transported illegally. There is evidence that the timber is being cut without any permission.”
DCF Kumar assured the delegation that a departmental inquiry into the matter of the allegedly illegal construction of an ashram in the forest area at Canacona would also be initiated. “Law is equal to all; be it for the common man or a political leader,” he said, appealing to the public to report all illegalities related to forest areas.
