When Garhchiroli district collector Subrath Rathod seized a truck illegally transporting teak in Maharashtra last September, an enquiry was held and it showed that illegal timber-felling in eastern Maharashtra, particularly his district and neighbouring Bhandara, is widespread and involves forest, revenue and railway officials. The two districts contain more than 40 per cent of the state's revenue forests.
In nine cases of illegal tree-felling investigated by Rathod, loggers persuaded local revenue and forest officials to reclassify forest land as well fudge forest maps. The loggers got railway guards and drivers to make unscheduled halts so wagons could be loaded with the poached wood. It is estimated timber worth more than Rs 2 crore was stolen in January alone.
The state's chief conservator of forests was at first extremely wary of admitting political involvement and it was only after repeated egging that Rathod was able to get local forest officials to file a criminal complaint. The main accused in the tree-felling case is a private contractor, Yashwant Dautalwar, who is believed to be close to Maharashtra forest minister Dharamrao Atram.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.