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The state government Wednesday suspended Deputy Commissioner of Forestry (DCF), Bengaluru Urban, Chakrapani Wai for allowing illegal logging in Kota village in Virajpet during his tenure in the forestry department.
The suspension order states that the Commissioner of Forestry, Kodagu Constituency, Madikeri, has submitted his report on Chakrapani’s involvement in illegal logging. The order reads, “The Chief Forest Conservation Officer (Vigilance), Bengaluru, also found in this investigation the officer’s involvement.”
In 2022, the landowner, M.N. Ramesh, sought permission from the state forest department to cut down six teak trees on his coffee plantation. The suspension order stated that in April 2022, Chakrapani agreed to cut down 66 teak trees based on falsified revenue documents.
The suspension order stated that “Chakrapani Y, then Deputy Governor of Forestry, Virajpet Division, Virajpet, in his capacity as Tree Officer, gave permission to cut down 66 trees on the basis of forged revenue documents on the basis of incomplete file while showing undue haste. The cut down order was issued from DCF accepted without joint survey report of Revenue and Forest Department, a forged report from Tahsildar, Virajpet. It is evident from the documents available on file that the Government seal and signature of the Revenue Department officials were forged and used to issue the cutting order.”
The suspension order also stated that Chakrapani had also issued the transport permit order to carry 66 teak trees.
“From the field and official staff statement, it is clear at first glance that DCF was fully aware of the issues and knowingly issued a transit permit without following office procedures on file. The above cut permission file has been tampered with at first glance in many places and many times to hide the truth. The Government is also convinced at first sight that Chakrapani Y, IFS (KN: 2012), then Deputy Conservator of Forest Conservation, Virajpet Division, Virajpet, who is currently serving as Deputy Conservator of Forest, Bengaluru Urban Division, Bengaluru, should be placed under suspension with immediate effect,” he added. It is stated in the copy of the order.
Early this month, the government suspended a centipede, DCF Hassan, for allowing it to exploit 21 acres of considered forest land.
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