Forest Department Orders FIR, Inquiry Into Unauthorized Darshpora–Bangus Road Project, Directs Immediate Halt to Work
Handwara, Nov 10, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has ordered strict legal and departmental action after detecting unauthorized road construction by the Public Works Department (R&B) Division Handwara within the jurisdiction of Langate Forest Division, allegedly carried out without necessary forest clearances.
According to an official communication issued by the Conservator of Forests, Kashmir North Circle (Sopore), the construction of the Darshpora–Bangus road has been undertaken through contractor Shafqat Farooq Baigh, reportedly encroaching upon protected forest land in violation of forest conservation laws.
The Forest Department has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Langate to lodge an FIR against the Executive Engineer of PWD (R&B) Handwara and the concerned contractor. The DFO has also been asked to furnish detailed reports on the roles and responsibilities of forest officials posted in the area, identify lapses, and initiate disciplinary action against those found negligent.
Further, the department as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, has ordered a site inspection to assess the extent of forest land encroached, environmental damage caused, and any violations of the Forest Conservation Act.
The communication also directs issuance of a show-cause notice to the Range Officer, Rajwar Forest Range, for failure to prevent the illegal activity, and mandates immediate cessation of all construction within the forest area.
Copies of the directive have been forwarded to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir Region, the Joint Director, Forest Protection Force (FPF) Kashmir, and the Joint Director, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Kashmir. The department has sought clarification from the Soil & Water Conservation (SWC) units allegedly involved in the work and questioned the FPF’s failure to detect the large-scale violation.
Urfah Ali Shah, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Kashmir North Circle while confirming the development, said that it reflects the Forest Department’s zero-tolerance policy toward encroachments and violations of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. [KNT]
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