Illegal Road Construction in Kaza: Six Forest Officers to Face Disciplinary Action, Conservator of Forests Informs NGT
Earlier, a sub-committee informed the tribunal that the 12-km road was divided into five sections. (Representative image)
Kaza, January 19: Six forest officials are set to face disciplinary actions for their involvement in the illegal construction of a 12-km road, including a 2.840-km stretch through the Spiti Wildlife Sanctuary, which was built without the required permissions. This development was reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an affidavit filed by Preeti Bhandari, the Conservator of Forests (CF) for Wildlife, on January 13.
The individuals facing potential disciplinary measures include two Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), two Range Forest Officers (RFOs) – one of whom has retired – and two forest guards. The officials named are: DFO Hardev Singh Negi, DFO Rajeev Kumar, RFO Ramesh Chand, retired RFO Dorje Namgyal, and forest guards Devender Sharma and Palvinder.
According to the affidavit, the Conservator of Forests has already issued show-cause notices to forest guards Devender Sharma and Palvinder, Deputy Forest Ranger Cheewang Angroop, and retired RFO Dorje Namgyal. These officials have been asked to explain their roles in the illegal road construction within their jurisdiction. Other officials, including the two DFOs and RFO Ramesh Chand, are expected to receive show-cause notices from their respective superiors.
The document submitted to the NGT details the posting history of the involved officials. DFO Hardev Negi served in the Wildlife Spiti Division from September 9, 2019, to June 21, 2022, and is currently stationed in Rampur. DFO Rajeev Kumar worked in the same division from May 30, 2017, to September 9, 2019, and is presently in Mandi. RFO Ramesh Chand, who was stationed as a Deputy Ranger in the Wildlife Spiti Division between September 18, 2018, and April 15, 2023, is now posted at the Nachan Forest Division.
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The controversy centers around a 2.840-km stretch of road constructed illegally by the Spiti unit of the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), which was part of a larger 12-km road built without obtaining the necessary forest clearances. A show-cause notice sent to retired RFO Dorje Namgyal highlighted that he had been in charge of the Tabo Wildlife Range during the period of construction. It further alleged that he had been aware of the violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980, but failed to report them to higher authorities.
Additionally, the police report from the Superintendent of Police, Lahaul & Spiti, revealed that although the Forest Department issued a damage report totaling Rs 1.49 crore against the HPPWD for the illegal 3-km stretch, no fine was levied. The HPPWD officer in charge was only directed to seek the necessary forest clearances under the Forest (Conservation) Act and the Forest Rights Act.
Previously, a sub-committee had informed the tribunal that the 12-km road was divided into five sections, with FRA approval granted for four of them. These approved sections included Poh Maidan to Soman (1.7 km), Soman to Nyupur (3 km), Nyupur to Geecha (3 km), and Nipto to Takchan (1.7 km). However, the Gecha to Helipad section, measuring 2.840 km, was constructed without the necessary approval and is the focal point of the ongoing investigation.
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