May 11th 2024.
The Forest department in Rourkela has been on high alert this summer, effectively preventing major fires and illegal tree poaching in the jungles. Officials have been closely monitoring all ranges, particularly in the Bonai division, where there has been a recent trend of setting forests on fire and then cutting down the partially burned trees to sell as timber outside the state. This has become a pressing issue as valuable teak trees are easily accessible and targeted by miscreants.
According to an official, there has been a shift from illegal poaching of wild animals to targeting trees due to their high value. As a result, the department is constantly on their toes to prevent such activities. "We are committed to stopping the smuggling of teak and other forest produce," the official stated. Another official working in the Sole and Jarda ranges revealed that more than half of the reported forest fires were caused by miscreants. Their strategy is simple - set a part of the forest on fire and then cut down the partially burnt trees to smuggle out.
Due to these incidents, the Forest department has been closely monitoring all ranges to prevent any further illegal activities. In fact, they recently received information from sources about 22 people, including women, who were clearing a patch of the forest in Bonai range under the pretense of creating agricultural land. "It was just an excuse," said Range Officer Kailash Kissan. "We immediately rushed to the spot and discovered valuable trees such as mango, sal, jamun, and arjuna being illegally felled. All 22 individuals were arrested and we seized sophisticated cutting equipment from them," Kissan informed.
In another instance, habitual offender Satyanarayan Yadav, a truck driver by profession, was caught red-handed by Forest department officials while setting a dense forest area on fire in Barsuan range. Fortunately, the officials were able to reach the spot quickly and put out the flames. The department also commended the locals for their cooperation in preventing major forest fires this season. The locals have been keeping a constant watch on the forest ranges and immediately notify the authorities if they come across any suspicious activities. "Their cooperation has been crucial in maintaining the safety of our forests," an official stated with appreciation.
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