Damage to Green Belt
Forest dept files case against PWD
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 27
The Forest Department has registered a case against Public Works Department (PWD) for allegedly causing damage to the forests while constructing a link road in Bakhar near Sunderbani on Jammu-Poonch National Highway.

The Forest Department sources said the Public Works Department officials, being misled by the local political party leaders on Monday, allegedly started destroying forest closures while constructing a link road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan (temple). During the process, eight forest trees and 13 forest protection poles were destroyed, sources added.

Immediately after receiving the reports that PWD officials were causing damage to the precious green belt, a forest department team headed by Range Officer Sunderbani, N.C.Sharma reached the spot and stopped the work.

“The case was registered against PWD and also against some local political leaders for causing damage to the forests during construction of link road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan. The road is being constructed after local Member of Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma sanctioned Rs 2 lakh for its construction,” said a forest department source.

Confirming the incident, Range Officer N C Sharma said the department has registered a case against PWD officials and some local leaders under Section 6 of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act 1990, on Monday.

He further said he had also constituted a team headed by block officer to probe the matter.