Dimapur, September 6 (MExN): The Forest Department has refuted the allegations made against its officials that they were selling wagons for transportation of timer outside the NE region, which were published in the local dailies. The Department in a rejoinder issued by its PCCF stated that the statements are “wild and baseless”.
The note clarified that the department adheres only to transportation guidelines issued by the court appointed committee. However, considering the past request of the various timber associations and unions to streamline the distribution procedure for moulding and tree farm timber, "belated as it may, starting with the last quarter transportation (April to June, 2010) for distribution of wagons for above categories", the recommendations of Dimapur Timber Industries Association was taken into consideration.
It also stated: “There is no fool proof mechanism for he State Govt to identify which timber associations and unions actually represent the timber trading fraternity since Nagaland has too many association and unions. The most practical way out was to involve the Dimapur Timber Industries Association which has been associated with the department since 1984.”
It also went on saying that the department only has to ensure that the association recommends only registered and approved timber transporters and units. However, if further streamlining is required the same can be looked into. Moreover, the department in the note also mentioned that the history of the present ban on felling of tress and transportation of timber within and outside the state. The “Supreme Court writ WP (202) of 1995 passed in its interim orders most importantly – 12th December 1996, 15th January 1998 and 12th May 2001”.
The Supreme Court, January 15, 1998, directed the State Government to prepare management plan called working schemes for felling of timber and obtain approval from the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MOEF) for private and community forest. Felling of timber from approved working schemes and tree plantation from man made non forest are permitted through the guidelines issued by MOEF, September 27, 2001 as per Supreme Court order, May 12, 2001. Transportation of timber in the northeast and outside is regulated and controlled by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted under the authority vested as per Supreme Court order, January 13, 2000, the note said.
It further added: "The timber traders in the State knows best how the Forest Deptt is going out of its way in facilitating them to earn a livelihood to the extend of danger of being hauled up for infringing upon the Court's orders. We need to introspect about our activities rather blame others for mis-perceived injustices."
