The forest department in Bihar's West Champaran district has initiated strong legal action against individuals accused of destroying forest resources. On Saturday, an FIR was registered against 20 people, both named and unidentified, for allegedly cutting down dozens of mature, green trees. This incident occurred during cleaning operations of the Don Canal near Bhawal village, which falls within the Ramnagar block.
Spot Inspection and Fleeing Culprits
According to Ramnagar Ranger Vijay Prasad, the illicit activity was discovered while official canal cleaning work was in progress. Alert villagers from Bhawal reported the large-scale cutting of trees along the canal's path. This information was promptly escalated to Pankaj Kumar, the Forest Division Officer of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bettiah. A specialized team from the forest department immediately rushed to the location to assess the situation.
The sight of the official forest vehicle prompted the tree cutters to abandon their tools and flee from the spot, Ranger Prasad stated. The department's team then conducted a preliminary investigation, questioning local residents. This inquiry led to the identification of some individuals involved in the unlawful act.
Legal Action and Official Stern Warning
Based on a formal application submitted by Forest Officer Jaleshwar Mahato, a First Information Report was officially lodged at the concerned police station. The FIR targets 20 persons, combining named suspects with unidentified accomplices. Ranger Vijay Prasad emphatically declared that all involved would face strict legal consequences for damaging precious forest resources and trees.
He further clarified the gravity of the offence, explaining that regions like tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries are legally demarcated to protect tigers and other fauna. Unauthorized tree cutting in such ecologically sensitive zones equates to the direct destruction of wildlife habitat, which is a serious crime under environmental laws.
Appeal for Conservation Amidst Government Initiatives
Ranger Prasad also took the opportunity to make a public appeal, highlighting a stark contrast in environmental efforts. He reminded citizens that the state government is actively promoting large-scale plantation drives under schemes like the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission. Instead of destroying existing green cover, he urged people to cooperate with authorities and contribute to conservation efforts by protecting every single tree.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in protecting critical forest corridors and buffer zones around protected areas like the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, even during routine public works.
