CB BureauA total of 116 roads in Himachal Pradesh were built violating Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980. Moreover, the no-objection certificates (NOCs) to
build the roads were issued by unauthorized persons like patwaris, range
officers and block development officers (BDOs).
The matter is now sub judice and the high court of Himachal
Pradesh has directed the additional chief secretary, forests, to take stern
action by chargesheeting and launching prosecution against the erring persons
within a period of six weeks, and completing the enquiry within one year.
According to sources, it was alleged that while the public
welfare department (PWD) chargesheeted 137 persons guilty of violating the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980, the undertaking given by the additional chief
secretary, forests, in the two affidavits is yet to be complied with.
Of the total, 41 roads were constructed by the forest
department and 75 by the PWD.
It is also reported that 27 roads have been constructed on
‘forest land’ in Karsog subdivision of Mandi district.
The court observed that the agencies that constructed roads
without permission were guilty of undertaking construction despite mandatory
directions by the high court from time to time.
The court has also held the forest department guilty of
compounding the forest offences in violation of section 68 of the Indian Forest
Act, and directed the state government to take stern action and launch
prosecution against illicit felling of trees.
Plantation as
punishment
Handing down an unprecedented judgement, the court directed the
pradhan of Gram Panchyat Mandal,
guilty of committing contempt of court, to grow and nurse at least 500 plants
of deodar. The land for the same will be provided by the forest department for
a period of five years.