Betla, Santosh Kumar. A special campaign is being conducted by the Forest Department to nab forest smugglers and poachers active in Chhipadohar eastern region including Betla National Park of Palamu Tiger Reserve. After the information of increasing activism of forest criminals, on the instructions of Prajesh Kant Jena, Deputy Director of North Division of PTR, a special raid campaign is being conducted under the leadership of Ranger Shankar Paswan. In this sequence, many forest smugglers have been arrested so far. A large quantity of wood has also been seized. Four forest smugglers have been arrested in raids conducted during the last one week. The arrested forest smugglers include Pandu Singh of Ked, Sujit Bhuiyan of Chaparna village under Lesliganj police station area, Brahmadev Mistry of Ranki Kala under Manika police station area and Ranjit Bhuiyan of Ponchi village of Satbarwa police station area. Jamuna Yadav of Rabdi is absconding.
Giving information, Forester of Betla area, Umesh Dubey said that on the instructions of senior officials of the department, a continuous campaign is being run for the last two months to prevent illegal felling of forests. In this sequence, on May 7, Pandu Singh and Sujit Bhuinya were caught with wood carrying a bicycle. On the second day, a large quantity of teak pots, chauphal etc. were recovered from the house of Brahmadev Mistry in a continuous raid. Chilbil, Asan, Sanan’s Chiran and Ara have also been seized. It is estimated that wood worth about one lakh rupees has been seized. This campaign will continue even further. The forest department is keeping an eye on the people going to the forest. Those who cut wood in the forest will not be spared under any circumstances. Now the department is keeping a close watch on the people who go to buy firewood. Such information is being received that green trees are also being cut by them. Recently, the accused was arrested with deer meat in Chhipadohar.
Ranger Shankar Paswan said that the Forest Department team is continuously conducting raids against the smugglers. So far more than a dozen people have been sent to jail. A case has been registered against many people under the Forest Act. Patrolling is being done by the Forest Department team 24 hours day and night. If information is received about harm to forest or animal, inform the department immediately, action will be taken immediately.
