NAGPUR: Before turning into a protected area for wildlife the newly-formed Mansinghdeo sanctuary adjoining Pench Tiger reserve suffered a final blow, ironically, from its owner itself. Large-scale tree felling and bamboo extraction across Block A and B of sanctuary compartments owned by Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (FDCM), a government company engaged in forestry and allied activities, days before its handing over to wildlife department has raised many eyebrows.
The huge ecological damage to the sanctuary was caused by the FDCM despite state government notifying the sanctuary on November 2, 2010. The FDCM officials say it was not felling but thinning under silviculture operations, approved by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) office at Bhopal.
On Saturday, during a visit to the 'Block A' compartments of sanctuary in Nagulwadi and Saleghat ranges of the FDCM, it was found that truckloads of bamboo and teak was extracted from two Nagulwadi compartments 697 and 698, and 12 Saleghat and Risala compartments viz. 624, 630, 642, 644, 625, 631, 643, 645, 657, 658, 659 and 660. Felling has also been done in nine Paoni compartments viz. 558, 559, 605, 592, 599, 600, 603, 604 and 606 in Block B of the sanctuary.
According to official sources, on July 19, 2010, FDCM had sought thinning permission from MoEF. On September 9, MoEF granted permission to the FDCM to fell trees in 19,900 hectares in the area owned by it. Similarly, nod was given to extract bamboo from 17,365 hectares. Of this, teak from 3,800 hectares and bamboo from 1,700 hectares were to be extracted from Nagpur Division comprising Nagulwadi, Saleghat, Paoni (all in Mansinghdeo), Hiwra, Umred and Kuhi ranges.
It should have, however, stopped felling on November 2 when Mansinghdeo became a protected area. FDCM is now hiding under a technicality. S G Tembhurnikar, incharge of the area and regional manager of FDCM, told TOI that although sanctuary notification was issued on November 2, it came to them only on December 20, i.e. 48 days after the notification.
"On December 20, when CCF (Territorial), Nagpur Circle, circulated a letter to stop felling owing to sanctuary notification, we stopped our operation being carried out as per approved management plan and MoEF permission," Tembhurnikar said. Mansinghdeo notification was widely reported in the media but FDCM officials took no cognizance of it.
"The only work you see now is of logging and removing branch wood. In fact, we took out only 25-30% of the crop when we learnt about the sanctuary notification. We are now transporting the material already felled. We are ready to hand over the area to wildlife wing any moment," Tembhurnikar said.
D C Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, said: "When the notification was issued, I was on leave, but when I joined, I made it a point to convey to the officials concerned over phone about it. They should have followed the orders." He did not explain why it took 48 days for a paper to travel from one office to another in same city.
Pant further said a meeting has been called on January 15 to discuss modalities to take over the sanctuary. Felling of trees is not allowed after notification, but must have been done during transition period. "No one will breach the law. Yet, I will review the situation," he stated.
TOI found that in compartment no. 660, entire bamboo clusters were cut. As per norms, at least 4-5 shoots are left untouched in each cluster to help regeneration. The most vulnerable compartments were 660, 697 and 698, that share border with Pench National Park from the west side.
FDCM officials are sticking to their guns: "Thinning improves growth of the forests without breaking canopy. The soil has limited capacity to support moisture and food for trees. Hence, excess trees need to be removed to allow others to grow," FDCM officials said seeking anonymity.
On reports of similar felling in Nagpur Territorial Division area, N Rambabu, conservator of forests, said, "Mansinghdeo compartments have not been touched. Some 250 trees were felled with prior permission until January 5 in sanctuary's 10 km eco-sensitive zone. After the direction, felling of trees has been stopped."
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