Forest Dept registers case against teacher

Forest Department officials of Koppa, on Saturday, registered a case against a government higher primary school teacher, Omkarappa, and his wife for felling a jackfruit tree worth lakhs of rupees.

Omkarappa has been residing in the government quarters belonging to Bintravalli Panchayat in Kuduregundi. He had allegedly cut the jackfruit tree which was in the government land close to his house.

Speaking to reporters, Omkarappa said that jackfruits from the tree were falling on the roof of his house.

Even after requesting the forest officer to clear the tree which was in a dangerous position, the officer said that the permission to cut the tree may not be obtained soon. Therefore, the tree could be cut by the people in the house themselves, he claimed.

As Omkarappa was out of the station, his wife hired workers and felled the tree.

A request to cut the tree was also placed before the Gram Sabha in Bintravalli and permission was given during the meet, said Omkarappa.

Forest Officer Shafi said that he hadn’t given any permission to cut the tree. A case has been registered for illegally felling a tree.

Bintravalli Gram Panchayat PDO said that no plea has been received by the Gram Sabha for clearing the tree. Permission was not given to cut the tree as well.

Local residents have urged the Forest Department to initiate action against the wrongdoers.