Madikeri: Deputy Conservator of Forest, Madikeri Division, ML Manjunath has been suspended by the state government with immediate effect, on Friday, June 14 citing dereliction of duty. With this, Maria Krista Raja, DCF Virajpet Division will be in-charge of Madikeri Forest Division.
Sources say that the suspension comes in wake of Manjunath reportedly issuing permission for unauthorised tree felling in K Nidugani Gram Panchayat of the district. As per rules, the DCF can issue permission for cutting only three trees per acre, but 808 trees were cut illegally in the said Gram Panchayat.
It may be recalled that about a week ago, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had ordered to stop the felling of trees in K Nidugani Gram Panchayat jurisdiction in Kodagu district after general public and environmentalists raised voice against the same.
“Following reports in media, the state government has taken the felling of 800 trees in Kodagu seriously and the CCF has been ordered to stop felling trees with immediate effect and to submit a report on the incident,” the CM had tweeted.
Close on the heels of this, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy had ordered a probe and sought a report from the chief conservator of forests (CCF). The DC had also said that appropriate decision will be taken during the forest officials’ meeting on June 14. Accordingly, DCF Manjunath has been suspended on Friday, June 14.
