Bhatt gave clean chit to RFO in illicit felling case

Times of India: Nagpur: Wednesday, 24 June 2015.

After the parking lot contract at Seminary Hills on PWD land, another suspect case of suspended deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) Deepak Bhat has come to fore. He gave clean chit to North Umred range forest officer (RFO) implicated in felling 28 full grown teak trees on government land.

Based on information obtained under RTI by one Vilas Funde, TOI on December 26, 2014, had reported how RFO GV Sanap, who is also tree officer, blindly gave permission to Shravan Makde, a farmer of Aaptur, to fell trees on his farm (khasra) in Gavsut on Kuhi-Aaptur-Umred State Highway 261 (now 341) to fell trees. Permission was granted to fell 59 teak trees. Of these, 28 were within 15 metres from the centre of the road. Latest RTI sought by Funde from PWD reveals 30 metres wide patch of land (15 metres from centre of road on each side) is highway land.

"PWD assistant executive engineer has released a 2012 notification that states that land up to 15 metres from centre on either side is state highway land. The 28 teak trees felled were beyond 12 metres but within 15 metres margin meaning they were on government land and should not have been felled," said Funde. He added that PWD had also issued a map stating that the width of the land near Makde's farm where trees were felled was 15 metres.

However, after the controversy over illicit felling, RFO Sanap on January 8, 2015, managed to procure a letter from local PWD engineer stating the teak trees were beyond 12 metres and outside the government land. Even as inquiry was in process, based on the letter produced by Sanap, DyCF Bhatt, now suspended, closed the case on January 28, 2015.

Interestingly, sources said the case was still being investigated even after a year. APCCF (protection) has written to PWD chief engineer seeking detailed information. When contacted, Sanap admitted the trees felled were at 12.50 metres. "If it was PWD land, then it should have compensated the farmer for trees by acquiring the land. Ownership of trees needs to be proved," he said.

However, Funde stated PWD notification on roadside land use was issued in 2012 whereas Sanap granted permission to fell trees in 2014. He should have verified the facts before granting permission. "If at all permission was granted, NOC from PWD should have been procured. It shows forest officials connived with PWD officials to fell trees," he charged.

Funde has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other authorities concerned demanding action against RFO GV Sanap and assistant conservator of forests (ACF) RD Kharabe, who is in charge of the area.