60 trees axed without nod in Sangrur village

Residents of Balad Kalan village in Bhawanigarh block of Sangrur district are upset at the government’s alleged inaction regarding illegal felling of more than 60 trees.

Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi stated on Friday that the BDPO, Bhawanigarh, had prepared a report concerning the illegal axing and selling of trees at Balad Kalan village. He mentioned that the individuals involved in the sale/purchase of the trees had been identified. The BDPO would submit the report on Monday to the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Sangrur. After that, an FIR would be registered for the illegal felling and theft of trees, he added.

The case pertains to the felling of eucalyptus, brota and dek trees around two months ago without approval from the authorities concerned. Villagers allege that the sarpanch played a key role in the sale of trees, ignoring the due procedure.

Addressing CM Bhagwant Mann, the villagers expressed their frustration saying that even after two months of the filing of initial complaint by panchayat members, no action has been taken. They have demanded strict action against the officials involved in the case.

The Sangrur Divisional Forest Officer clarified that the land in question belonged to the village panchayat and that it did not come under the purview of the Forest Department.

Village Sarpanch Gurpreet Singh, however, maintained that the allegations of his involvement in the case were baseless. The land was in possession of the members of Scheduled Caste (SC) community. He said a case pertaining to the illegal felling of trees was pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The next hearing in the case would be held on April 24.

Bhawanigarh Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Lenin Garg said, “The land in question was in possession of the SC community. They had planted trees, so they got them cut.”

Garg said a serving member of the panchayat was also among the complainants. He should have complained when the trees were being axed, he said.

Punjab