Forest Department Takes Action Against UPCL Officials for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
The Uttarakhand forest department has initiated legal proceedings against two senior officials of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) following allegations of illegal tree felling during an electricity infrastructure project. The incident occurred in the picturesque Sakuti village, located within the Sult development block of Almora district, raising significant environmental concerns among local communities.
Details of the Forest Offence Case
According to official statements released on Friday, forest authorities have registered a formal forest offence under sections 26 and 28 of the Indian Forest Act against UPCL executive engineer Rajesh Kumar Maurya and sub-divisional officer Tasnif Anwar. The charges stem from the alleged unauthorized cutting of approximately 30 to 32 trees, including valuable sal (Shorea robusta) and kukat (Himalayan alder) species, during the installation of a power transmission line.
Forest department officials confirmed that the tree felling occurred without obtaining the mandatory permissions required for such activities. The department's investigation team visited the project site on Thursday after receiving multiple complaints from concerned villagers, subsequently verifying the unauthorized nature of the tree removal operations.
Environmental Impact and Local Concerns
Local resident Gopal Singh expressed deep concern about the environmental consequences of the tree cutting, particularly emphasizing the loss of sal trees which he described as invaluable natural assets. Singh referenced a traditional saying that highlights the longevity and ecological importance of sal trees, noting that they "stand for a hundred years, lie for a hundred years, and decay for another hundred years," underscoring their significant role in the local ecosystem.
Range officer Ganga Saran provided additional details about the affected trees, stating that the sal and kukat specimens were approximately two to three years old. He confirmed that no proper authorization had been sought from the forest department prior to their removal, violating established environmental protection protocols.
Accountability and Future Actions
Villagers in the affected area have voiced strong demands for accountability, expressing worries that similar violations might occur during future infrastructure development projects. The community has called for stricter oversight and compliance measures to prevent environmental damage while balancing development needs.
Forest department officials have indicated that further legal action will be determined upon completion of their ongoing inquiry. The case highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure development requirements and environmental conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive regions of Uttarakhand.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following proper environmental clearance procedures during development projects, particularly in forested areas where ecological balance must be carefully maintained alongside progress initiatives.
