To protect the forests and wildlife, the forest department in association with the police is contemplating to implement a joint action plan in the district. As part of it, the department proposed setting up of three forest check-posts to be manned by forest as well as the police personnel, regular patrolling in the routes suspected to be used by smugglers and poachers and installation of CC cameras along the roads leading to saw mills and even at saw mills.
Though the proposals are at preliminary stage forest officials are reviewing the Act to know the possibilities of implementation. However, installation of check-posts is certain and they are likely to come up at Fathepur, Yamcha and Salura in Armoor and Nizamabad forest divisions, according to V.S.N.V Prasad, conservator of forests.
As of now, it is also not known whether the check-posts are armed ones or normal. “We have to know whether guidelines would allow us to install CC cameras at saw mills. New guidelines would be framed after a thorough debate and discussion at higher level,” he said speaking to The Hindu .
However, shortly a brainstorming meeting would be called for with forest, police, revenue department officials and also saw millers. Saw millers would be sensitised on the law as once the licence is cancelled for a saw mill it will not be restored even if the Supreme Court is moved, as the Apex Court itself gave a ruling in the case of T.N. Godavarman Tirumulpad Vs Union of India, he said.
“Forest and police departments would mutually share a database relating to smugglers, poachers and petty forest offenders, the practice which has been absent till date. Modalities on joint patrolling would also be worked out,” said Mr. Prasad.
These proposals came in the wake of timber smuggling took place recently from Nirmal to Nizamabad and in which even a police officer and a politician were reportedly involved.
