The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister, Punjab, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has taken strong notice regarding the news pertaining to illegal felling of ‘KHAIR’ trees and Plundering of Khair wood by the Mafia in the forest area of Paharpur & Samlah in Rupnagar District bordering Himachal Pradesh.
The Minister has sought a comprehensive report from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Jatinder Sharma in 7 days. The Minister said that the PCCF has also been directed to personally probe the incident of illegal felling of trees from the above mentioned region. He categorically said that any Person or any official found involved directly or indirectly in assisting the wrongdoers would not be spared at any cost.
Dharamsot while issuing instructions for increasing the day and night patrols in the forest areas, said that the onus of stopping the illegal felling rests on the forest officers of concerned areas who should evolve all steps necessary in their respective domains to curb the menace. The Minister further elaborated that the Government under the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh is committed to wipe out every mafia from the state.
