Sagar Range Forest Officer suspended

The Forest Department has suspended Annappa B., Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Sagar in Shivamogga on charges of dereliction of duty, in connection with the illegal cutting of trees in the compensatory afforestation plantations at Malvi in Sagar taluk.

There were reports of illegal cutting of trees in the compensatory forest plantation and Soppinabetta (forest area) at Malvi village. The trees were cut using earthmovers and a road was laid.

Following a complaint along with relevant photos sent to the office of the Forest Minister on May 6, the RFO registered an FIR the next day, May 7.

However, he mentioned that the place where trees were cut was outside the forest area. It is alleged that the officer registered a flawed complaint, probably to favour the accused.

Eshwar Khandre had directed senior officers to suspend the RFO for his act of dereliction. The PCCF issued an order suspending the officer on Monday.