Cutting of Forest Trees: ADC Budgam recommends FIR against ‘Fake reporting’

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, Sep 07 (Only Kashmir): Strongly refuting the allegations made in a local daily and on Social Media regarding transparency in the cutting process of forest trees for 440 KV Jallandhar –Samba –Amargrah transmission line’, the Addl. Deputy Commissioner Budgam Kashmir in its report submitted to DC Budgam has recommended the lodging of FIR against the ‘fake news producers’ for ‘maligning the government on basis of fake reporting.’
According to the inquiry report under No: ADCB/PS/2018/370-72 submitted by the Addl. Deputy Commissioner Budgam before Deputy Commissioner Budgam the former has sought booking of ‘Fake News Producers’ under the law for maligning the government on basis of fake reporting. The ADC in its report have also rebutted the news carried by a local daily and some persons on Social Media where they had alleged the authorities of allowing wanton felling of trees in various villages of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.



Pertinently, in the backdrop of the news report and social media posts regarding the illegal felling of forest trees in the district, the DC Budgam ordered Addl. Deputy Commissioner (ADC) to inquire the matter and submitted the report thereof. Following the orders, the ADC sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities including DFO Budgam and Divisional Manager SFC Budgam wherein it was found that that the proposal of felling was approved by the Forest Advisory Committee and Government as well under order No 250/FST of 2015, dated: 16/09/2015.
Accordingly Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir Vide letter No: CCFKL/16/642-46 dated 06/06/2016 has accorded administrative approval which involves cutting of 220 trees and 319 poles with the volume of 20283 CFTS.
Similarly, the Divisional Manager State Forest Corporation in its report to ADC Budgam has said that in light of the ‘Fake News’ and Social Media posts inspection of sites was conducted on 03/09/2018 where the complaints were found fabricated and baseless aimed to undermine the credibility of Government institutions.
On the basis of the reports of DFO Budgam and Divisional Manager SFC Budgam, the Addl. Deputy Commissioner Budgam has submitted his report before DC where besides lodging FIR against ‘Fake reporting’ it has recommended to refute the news.
Pertinent to mention here, Advisor to the Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, earlier expressed serious concern over the alleged unauthorized felling of forest trees in parts of Budgam district, as reported by a local daily. (OK)