Bellary, April 25: In Bellary, Karnataka, a contractor and several associates have been charged with illegally cutting down trees without permission under the guise of a road widening project. Forest officials have also accused them of obstructing duty and destroying evidence during the operation.
The incident came to light late Thursday night when forest department officials were alerted about tree cutting between Vidyanagar Circle and Kolagal Road. Upon receiving the tip-off, Deputy Forest Officer Sunilkumar R. Chauhan and his team arrived at the scene around 10:30 PM.
Officials discovered workers using machinery to cut down trees along the roadside. When asked to show permits, those present reportedly claimed the work was urgent and continued cutting despite knowing they lacked permission.
When forest officials attempted to halt the activity, a heated argument ensued. During this confrontation, two individuals named Tillu and Ravi snatched the mobile phone of an officer recording the incident and threw it to the ground, damaging it. Eventually, with the help of local police, the tree cutting was stopped.
During the inspection, officials found that a total of 25 trees had been cut down, including 21 Teak, two Neem, and two Peepal trees. Approximately five tons of wood were seized from the site. A case has been registered at the Kaul Bazaar police station against Tillu Chaudhary, Ratnababu, Ravi Moka, and five others. Additionally, the forest department has filed a separate case under the Karnataka Forest Act of 1963 and the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act of 1976.
Officials noted that the Public Works Department had requested permission to cut down 233 trees for the project. However, due to environmental concerns, the forest department directed a redesign of the footpath on March 23 to save 139 trees. The contractor allegedly ignored this directive and proceeded with the tree cutting late at night. Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr. Basavaraj K.N. stated that regulations were violated and assured that strict action would be taken against the offenders.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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