Environment and Forests Minister Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy on Monday said the government would take stringent measures to curb the menace of red sanders smuggling and crack the whip on smugglers by Preventive Detention (PD) Act. In this direction, the forest department officials would be sanctioned with 145 firearms as an add-on to the existing ones.
He said the ongoing auctions of red sanders logs would go on unabated as per schedule and the salaries for the contract workers at the zoological park, which was held up due to some constraints in budget allocation, would be immediately dispensed.
Emphasising on the need for safeguarding forest wealth including endangered animals such as tigers, Mr. Reddy called upon the people to own up the responsibility in strengthening the set-up through their contributions.
Tributes paidOffering floral tributes to the martyrs on the occasion of 'Forest Martyrs Day' near Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park , Mr. Reddy commended the efforts of the officials in the recent operations, especially those undertaken to curb the rampant red sanders smuggling. “Ever since TDP assumed power, red sanders smugglers are afraid of continuing their operations. For this, we have to thank the relentless efforts of forest and police departments,” he said.
He hailed the contribution of forest department officials in safeguarding the precious forest wealth as unparalleled and termed them as the true guardians of forests. Mr. Reddy listed out the names of 12 officers who lost their lives while on duty protecting forests and wildlife and assured that the government would do its best to address the welfare of the bereaved families.
MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and officials from Forest Department attended the programme.
