With heightened urgency following the devastating damages to forests, District Magistrate Doda has issued an order for the ban on illegal sale, use and purchase of portable chain saw (mechanical cutter) in the district.
The decision comes after the office received reports of usage of portable chain saw by smugglers as well as SFC contractors in damaging the green trees of forests. Moreover, its usage violates Indian Forest Act 1927.
The order shall remain in force for a period of two months from the date of its issue, and any violation shall initiate penal action as warranted under relevant sections of law.
The order reads, “Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, Doda vide his office communication No.324-41/CFC dated. 12.05.2020, has intimated that a large number of damages are being done by the forest smugglers as well as SFC contractors in the forests of Chenab Circle for the last 2 years by using the portable chain saw (Mechanical Cutters).”
Further, “It has also been reported that after examining such type of portable chain saw (Mechanical Cutters) and as per its specifications , it is clear that Mechanical wood cutters comes under primary wood based and secondary wood based industry as per SRO-103 of 2012 and use of the same is clear violation of Indian Forest Act, 1927.”
It may be mentioned that Portable Chain Saw are easily available in the markets of District Doda and the forest/timber smugglers are clandestinely damaging forests continuously by using the same.
The timber smugglers / forest offenders cut green trees in the forests and make illegal sale/purchase of the said smuggled timber/wood during the night hours. This poses grave threat and challenge for the efforts being made to protect forests, the order states.
Besides, the villagers/local inhabitants, particularly adjacent to the affected vulnerable forests have dumped the illegal and unauthorized smuggled timber in their residential houses for its illegal use/sale, which is a heinous crime and non-bailable offence.
Also, deforestation is a major offence under the Act & Laws and as on date, various type of incidents of violations are being observed through viral videos & Youtube in the broad day light especially in the forests of Chirala & Bhaderwah ranges.
Being convinced that the situation currently prevailing in the forests of district Doda/Chenab Circle with respect to massive damages of green trees by the timber smugglers requires urgent measures, Vikas Sharma, JKAS, District Magistrate, Doda, has imposed complete ban on certain activities on 26th June, 2021.
The banned activities include usage/possession of a portable chain saw (Mechanical Cutters) within the territorial limits of District Doda.
The order reads, “All the persons already possessing a portable chain saw (mechanical cutter) shall immediately deposit them in their respective police stations with concerned SHO’s and all DFO’S/SHO’S Range Officer shall ensure that the Owners are dispossessed of the same within a matter of 07 days from the issuance of this order; No stockiest/trader shall sell above such portable chain saw (mechanical cutters) to any individual/organisation without proper permission from DM Doda; Manual Hand saw owners shall register themselves within concerned DFO’S within a period of 15 days from the issuance of this Order.”
Conservator of Forest, Doda/Sr Superintendent of Police Doda and all DFOs have been asked to implement the order in letter and spirit.
Also: Read my article at The News Now
Saving forests: Portable chain saw banned in Doda
Published in The News Now on 30th June, 2021
waliaharry 