Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Aug 25: Accusations are heard that trees worth lacs of rupees have been cut in the Karnataka reserve police force campus on the outskirts of the city without getting written approval from the forest department.
More than 10 Acacia and jackfruit trees have been cut in the KSRP 7th Batallion campus at Asaigoli. Only the roots and fallen branches are the proof of this mindless cutting of trees that are left now on the campus.
There is a suspicion that the Batallion officers themselves have cut the trees without permission. Some roots of the cut trees are covered up with mud. The trees on the entrance of the camp and at the area of canteen have also been cut. The silence of forest department officials is also suspicious. There is no entry to public inside the campus. No one knows what goes on inside. So some are saying that mud has been put on the roots of the trees to cover up the illegal act.
Deputy zonal forest officer Mahabala clarified on the issue and said, “Someone has given wrong information that trees have been cut in the campus of the KSRP batallion. Only one tree was cut because of the complaint raised by the house besides the campus. No other tree has been cut. Permission was sought from the forest department for the tree that was cut."
“The Batallion officers have been asked to cut dangerous trees on the campus. But we have still not given written permission to cut them. However, on patta land, they can cut the trees by giving an application to us. But they cannot transport the same. If it is too dangerous, the tree can be cut. At present, they have cut four trees including one forest breed tree. We have given verbal permission after inspecting the area,” he said.