Rice Miller Accused of Forging Forest NOC to Secure Bank Loan in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
In a significant case of alleged fraud, a rice miller in Pilibhit has been accused of submitting a forged No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve to a nationalized bank. The fraudulent document was used in an attempt to obtain a loan limit for setting up a rice mill, which has led the DFO to formally request the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
DFO Manish Singh Uncovers Fraud During Bank Verification
The forgery came to light when the bank manager approached the office of DFO Manish Singh to verify the authenticity of the NOC. Upon investigation, Singh discovered that the certificate was completely fabricated. He immediately wrote to Superintendent of Police Sukirti Madhav, detailing the fraud and urging swift legal action. The DFO emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that such acts undermine environmental protections and banking integrity.
Details of the Forged Document and Violation of Eco-Sensitive Zone
The forged NOC was submitted by the applicant, Narendra Singh, a farmer from Amritpur Talluke Madhotanda village. He applied for a loan to establish a rice mill on 0.60 hectares of land in Arjunpur village, located under Kalinagar tehsil. The document falsely bore the DFO's signature, an official letter number, and was dated December 8 of the previous year. Verification of official records confirmed that no such NOC had ever been issued, exposing the document as a complete fabrication.
Critically, the proposed rice mill site falls within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Under strict guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), industrial units are strictly prohibited in these areas to protect wildlife and their habitats. This makes the alleged fraud not only a criminal act but also a potential environmental threat.
Broader Investigation and Official Actions
In response to this incident, DFO Manish Singh has also written to District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh, requesting a comprehensive review of records. The aim is to check whether any other industrial licenses in the eco-sensitive zone might have been issued based on similar forged NOCs, indicating a possible pattern of fraud that could compromise conservation efforts.
On the law enforcement front, SP Sukirti Madhav has confirmed that the complaint has been forwarded to Puranpur Circle Officer Dr. Prateek Dahiya. A preliminary inquiry is currently underway, and authorities have assured that an FIR will be registered within the next day or two, pending the completion of initial investigations. This swift action highlights the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the case, aiming to deter future violations and uphold legal and environmental standards.
Implications for Banking and Environmental Compliance
This case raises important questions about the verification processes used by banks when handling loan applications, especially in sensitive ecological areas. It underscores the need for enhanced due diligence to prevent fraud that could lead to unauthorized industrial development in protected zones. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing economic activities with environmental conservation, particularly in regions like the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, which is crucial for tiger conservation in India.
