Shivamogga: Three days after forest minister Eshwar B Khandre’s directive, the Karnataka forest department has ordered the immediate suspension of Sagar range forest officer (RFO) Annappa B, following allegations of irregularities and violations of forest laws.
Allegations and Investigation
The suspension comes after a site inspection and a complaint submitted to the forest minister’s office, which revealed that hundreds of acacia and other forest trees were illegally felled and smuggled from the compensatory forest area and ‘Soppinabetta’ lands in Malve village. It was also discovered that heavy machinery, specifically JCBs, was used to illegally construct a road within the protected notified forest land, directly violating the Karnataka Forest Act.
Official Order Details
The official order, signed by Meenakshi Negi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and head of the department, highlights a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators. It was noted that while a forest offense case (FOC) was initially registered, the RFO allegedly recorded the location of the crime as being outside the forest boundary to protect the accused.
The extent of the damage was confirmed by GPS photographs, which show clear evidence of illegal road work and massive deforestation. Pending a full departmental inquiry, the officer has been barred from leaving his headquarters in Shivamogga without prior written permission from the competent authority.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about forest protection and enforcement in Karnataka. The state government has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal activities in forest areas, with the forest minister actively monitoring the situation.
