Early Times Newspaper Jammu
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Wildlife Deptt removes Range Officer, constitutes committee to probe felling of trees in Achabal sanctuary
Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report

Anantnag, June 4: Wildlife Protection Department on Thursday removed Range Officer Bringi Valley a day after Early Times reported how the officer has used his influence on multiple occasions to get his transfer order rescinded.
The department has also constituted a high level committee to probe the felling of trees in Achabal wildlife sanctuary besides had ordered complete scanning/combing of the wildlife sanctuary.
“In view of the complaints of illicit felling of trees in Achabal Conservation Reserve, Shri Lateef Ahmad Wani, I/C Range Officer Bringi Valley in Wildlife Division South, is attached in the office of wildlife warden south with immediate effect,” reads the order [Order No. 70 of 2020 Dated 03-06-2020 issued by Chief Wildlife Warden Jammu and Kashmir. On Tuesday [02-06-2020], this newspaper reported about the officer, who is currently under scanner after reports of timber smuggling in Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary appeared. The officer had got his two transfer orders rescinded since 2018.
The order [63 of 2020 dated 02-05-2020] was issued by Ch
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ef Wildlife Warden Jammu and Kashmir but was instantly withdrawn on the same day. “The order 63 of 2020 dated 02-05-2020 with regard to transfer of/posting of Incharge Range Officer is withdrawn with immediate effect,” reads the order [64 of 2020 dated 02-05-2020] issued by Chief Wildlife Warden.
In 2018, the order [Order No. 189 of 2018 dated 26-12-2018] was also issued by Chief Wildlife Warden but the order was also later amended.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Suresh Gupta (IFS) has also ordered a probe into the felling of tress in Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary and has constituted a three member committee headed by Wildlife Warden Shopain Shri Intsar Suhail. The committee has been directed to go for the spot verification and pinpoint the defaulters.
The report regarding illicit timber felling in Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary and pilferage of timber was highlighted by Early Times on 20-05-2020.
The Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Region Rashid Naqash has also ordered a complete checking of whole Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary and had withheld the pay of Range Officer, who has now been attached today.