<p>The irregularities were established an year ago through a probe by an higher official. <br />The investigation report by Assistant Conservator of Forests S J Chandrashekar has brought to light the illegal granite mining undertaken by Antarasanthe RFO A V Satish in the limits of the Taraka backwaters of the national park, violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. <br /><br />But the Forest department has not initiated any action against Satish.<br />High-level officials had ordered a probe following newspaper reports in January, 2010. Spot inspection and information collected by Chandrashekar from the department staff had established Satish’s culpability. <br /><br />Showcause notice<br /><br />Also, Satish himself had admitted to the charges. Satish has also not replied to the showcause notice served on him. <br /><br />In this connection, necessary action can be taken against him, Chandrashekar said in his letter to Deputy Conservator of Forests Vijayranjan Singh. <br /><br />The issue came to light through an RTI application filed by environmentalist Yashas.<br />Rocks were blasted using explosives for constructing an elephant-proof trench (EPT) under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by the Gram Panchayat. The rocks so blasted were converted into stone slabs in the forest itself.<br /><br />This is an offence in Nagarahole, which has been declared a sensitive tiger reserve. No permission was taken for such non-forest activities from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. <br /><br />Also, unhindered entry of workers had been allowed inside the national forest on the pretext of the stone-cutting work.<br /><br />Safety of reservoir<br /><br />The Taraka reservoir is just half a kilometre from the spot where the rocks were blasted. The activity could have jeopardised the safety of the reservoir. <br /><br />Blasting the rocks could also have affected the wildlife too. <br /><br />The reservoir is one of the few waterholes in the national forest for the animals in summer. <br /><br />It is natural for animals to be inconvenienced by the blasts and the movement of people. <br /><br />“The Forest department takes action if poor forest dwellers take away a few logs of wood. The chief minister had to resign due to the illegal mining taint. Then, why is the officer allowed to go scot-free for illegal mining,” asks Yashas.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The irregularities were established an year ago through a probe by an higher official. <br />The investigation report by Assistant Conservator of Forests S J Chandrashekar has brought to light the illegal granite mining undertaken by Antarasanthe RFO A V Satish in the limits of the Taraka backwaters of the national park, violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. <br /><br />But the Forest department has not initiated any action against Satish.<br />High-level officials had ordered a probe following newspaper reports in January, 2010. Spot inspection and information collected by Chandrashekar from the department staff had established Satish’s culpability. <br /><br />Showcause notice<br /><br />Also, Satish himself had admitted to the charges. Satish has also not replied to the showcause notice served on him. <br /><br />In this connection, necessary action can be taken against him, Chandrashekar said in his letter to Deputy Conservator of Forests Vijayranjan Singh. <br /><br />The issue came to light through an RTI application filed by environmentalist Yashas.<br />Rocks were blasted using explosives for constructing an elephant-proof trench (EPT) under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by the Gram Panchayat. The rocks so blasted were converted into stone slabs in the forest itself.<br /><br />This is an offence in Nagarahole, which has been declared a sensitive tiger reserve. No permission was taken for such non-forest activities from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. <br /><br />Also, unhindered entry of workers had been allowed inside the national forest on the pretext of the stone-cutting work.<br /><br />Safety of reservoir<br /><br />The Taraka reservoir is just half a kilometre from the spot where the rocks were blasted. The activity could have jeopardised the safety of the reservoir. <br /><br />Blasting the rocks could also have affected the wildlife too. <br /><br />The reservoir is one of the few waterholes in the national forest for the animals in summer. <br /><br />It is natural for animals to be inconvenienced by the blasts and the movement of people. <br /><br />“The Forest department takes action if poor forest dwellers take away a few logs of wood. The chief minister had to resign due to the illegal mining taint. Then, why is the officer allowed to go scot-free for illegal mining,” asks Yashas.<br /><br /></p>
