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The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has initiated an inquiry into the alleged felling of more than 500 trees for the construction of a 1.34-km haul road linked to the Rowghat iron ore mine in Kanker district. Officials claim the road was built without prior approval from the forest department and have issued notices to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), along with departmental officials. A preliminary inquiry indicates that around 540 trees were cut and portions of a hill were excavated, although a detailed assessment is underway. BSP has denied any violation, maintaining that the road falls within the area covered by forest clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2009.
The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised felling of more than 500 trees for the construction of a road connecting the Rowghat iron ore mine in Kanker district. The road, reportedly built during March and April, was intended to facilitate the transportation of iron ore from the mine to a railway loading point. While forest officials allege that the work was carried out without prior departmental approval, the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), has denied any violation and stated that the construction took place within an area already covered by statutory forest clearance.
The matter came to light following an inspection conducted by forest department personnel near Sargipali village on June 18. During the inspection, officials found that a road had been constructed through forest land, prompting the registration of a Preliminary Offence Report (POR). Subsequently, a five-member inquiry committee headed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Forest), Bhanupratappur, was constituted on June 20. The committee inspected the site two days later and concluded in its preliminary findings that the road had been constructed without obtaining permission from the forest department.
According to Deputy Conservator of Forests (Regional), East Bhanupratappur, Rishabh Jain, show-cause notices have been issued to the local ranger and the sub-divisional forest officer. In addition, three forest guards and two range assistants have been removed from the area and served notices pending further inquiry. The Bhilai Steel Plant has also received a show-cause notice, with the department stating that further action will be taken in accordance with applicable rules.
Forest department officials said the road measures approximately 1.34 km in length and around 10 metres in width. Preliminary findings indicate that nearly 540 trees were felled during its construction, although the final figure may increase after a detailed assessment. The inquiry committee also reported that sections of a hilly area had been cut to facilitate the road alignment.
Another senior forest official stated that approximately 880 hectares of forest land had previously been diverted for the Rowghat iron ore mining project in Kanker and Narayanpur districts. However, the newly constructed road appeared to extend beyond the diverted land and into reserve forest, raising concerns over possible violations of forest regulations.
Rejecting the allegations, BSP Executive Director (Rowghat Project) Arun Kumar said the road had been constructed within the area covered by forest clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2009. According to him, the approval covered around 883 hectares, including nearly 770 hectares within the mining lease area and approximately 112 hectares earmarked for supporting infrastructure such as roads. Kumar maintained that SAIL undertakes projects only after obtaining all necessary statutory clearances.
The issue has also attracted political attention. Bharatiya Janata Party MP from the Kanker Lok Sabha constituency, Bhojraj Nag, said he became aware of the matter through media reports and described the alleged unauthorised tree felling as a serious issue. He stated that if the allegations are substantiated, he would seek strict action against those responsible by writing to the relevant government departments.
Source - PTI
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