Mangaluru: Four-lane conversion of NH 169 – NECF accuses forest dept of scam


Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 3: National Environment Conservation Federation (NECF) has accused forest department of huge scam in the recounting of trees to be cut in the four lane development work of NH 169 from Bikkarnakatte to Sanur.

The NECF has filed complaint with the Lokayukta SP and deputy forest conservator of vigilance squad of forest department. So far, 50 trees are cut for the project. However, further cutting of trees is stalled on the instructions of Lokayukta police.

Giving details on the subject, Benedict D’Souza of NECF said, “The forest department has given permission to cut 1227 trees from Kulshekar to Sanur in order to develop national highway work. Cutting of trees from Gurpur to Mizar has already begun. The value fixed for the trees is very low.

“The forest department of Dakshina Kannada has fixed just Rs 13.61 lac for the 1227 trees, Rs 74.12 lac for nurturing 12,230 plants against the trees that are cut (10 plants for every tree cut) and survey fee of Rs 15.24 lac. NHAI has paid Rs 91.34 lac in total including other fees.

“Justice of Supreme Court S A Bobde had formed a committee for the revaluation of the trees to be cut in reference to a PIL. That committee has fixed guidelines for the revaluation. Accordingly, the value will be fixed based on the age of the tree. For every year, the value should be calculated at Rs 74500. The forest department has not calculated in this manner.

“Near Sooralpady, a huge jackfruit tree is cut. According to the RTI, forest department has given information that this tree is just two meters in height and 1.5 meters in diameter. But huge wooden logs are found on the spot. The information given by forest department is bundle of lies,” he said.

“Jackfruit tree fetches Rs 5000 per CFT in the market. The low cost shown by the forest department has led to suspicion. The department which has to protect the trees has joined hands with the looters,” said Shashidhar Shetty, state secretary of NECF.

Defending the action of forest department, Dr Dinesh Kumar Y K, deputy conservator of forest of DK said, “Before giving permission to cut trees, the estimate is done through eye gauging. Exact measurement is known only after the tree is cut. The wooden logs cut is measured perfectly and value is decided based on the same.”

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Umesh Rao, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 04 2022

    "Tree size is measured through "Eye Gauging". I am sure that these trees are not as huge so as to not permit measurements of circumference and height through an ordinary tape measure. An outright bundle of lies and corruption. The "eye gauging" is being done to include their 40% commission - nothing else.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, New York

    Tue, Oct 04 2022

    Government runs on Commission ,,,

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • flavian dsouza, blr

    Tue, Oct 04 2022

    Very sad ...do these officials know they need fresh air and water which forests can provide and money cant buy these ... what will they give to the next generation big bank balance and looted money ...and no good air to breathe !!!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gibbs, Udupi/Bengaluru

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    Any development specially environment Politicians and the concerned departments Bumper lottery!!! They are after MONEY making at the forest belongs to Nation BUT LOOTERS ARE POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS ALONG WITH CONTRACTOR. ALL LIVE IN SAME WATER!!! WITHOUT COMMISSION NO DEVELOPMENT AND NOW IN KARNATAKA 40% MINIMUM. FOREST TREES ARE EXPENSIVE SO VALUATION IS 10% ONLY AND REST BELONGS TO LOOTERS. IT HAPPENS IN INDIA AND BJP GOVERNMENT IS FAMOUS FOR IT.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sameer, Riyadh

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    Is BJPercentage still at 40 or has it increased due to inflation? Horse trading ke liye paisa chahiye bhai 😆😆😆. Someone will come out tomorrow from Baaja Party and say it is due to congress jackfruit tree logs are growing in size after they are cut 😂😂😂

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sarvanabhavana Purushotham, Murukaveri DK.

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    Forest department is very clear - they are good in eye gauging day and night rest all 50-50 %.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMJ, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    NECF is doing a commendable job in saving forest resources

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • real kujuma, kodial

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    acche din for chors and looters since 2014.jai ho

    DisAgree [6] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • g m hegde, mumbai

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    All know this lobby of neghboring State settled here & looted our natural resorces to extreme. Sad ED does not raid this lobby of DK & Kerala. As for our FD they should fear their sins of corruption may bring ruin to them. Veerappan could not have growing this very same black sheep in FD

    DisAgree [1] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • ayes p, kudla/ksa

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    40% Commission?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: Four-lane conversion of NH 169 – NECF accuses forest dept of scam



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