MANDI (Munish Sood & Pratima Rana)
Is ‘Pushpa’, a blockbuster movie synonymous with the felling of trees, making an entry in the forests of Dharampur in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh? A controversy has been triggered as approximately 2,000 truckloads of timber have been found stockpiled in Dharampur’s Bahri area.
BJP leader Rajat Thakur, the son of former BJP minister Mahender Singh Thakur, who is the former MLA of Dharampur, has alleged large-scale illegal tree felling and accused the Forest Department of failing to fulfill its accountability in curbing such activities.
The forest authorities, on the other hand, maintained the trees had been felled in a legal manner following the required approvals.
Even protected tree species felled, alleges BJP leader
The discovery of the massive wood stockpile has drawn attention not only for its scale, but also for the inclusion of timber from species that are prohibited from being felled, alleged Thakur, likening the situation to operations run by the infamous timber mafia, including those by Veerappan, and even to the fictional narrative portrayed in the movie “Pushpa”.
Thakur has claimed that timber from the illegal felling was being stored openly in Bahri village. “Nearly 2000 truckloads of wood have been stockpiled here, including species protected under government rules. Such activities cannot occur without political protection,” he alleged at a press conference in Dharampur.
Thakur also questioned why the timber was being kept locally when the area had no wood-processing facilities. He pointed out that earlier all timber from the region was sent to the Hoshiarpur depot. “Rules are being openly flouted and it is the Forest Department’s responsibility to ensure compliance. Where is their accountability in this matter?” he said.
DFO says stock belongs to a private firm
The Forest Department, in its defence, stated that individuals were permitted to fell and sell 13 types of tree species on private land after obtaining necessary approvals.
Kamal Bharti, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Jogindernagar, clarified that the timber stock in Bahri belonged to a private firm, Renewable Resource Private Limited.
“The company has acquired the wood legally as per permits issued by the department. However, its decision to stockpile such a large quantity will be investigated,” Bharti said. He said the firm could not directly sell the timber or use it for furniture manufacturing, raising questions about the purpose of the stockpile.
Thakur calls for high-level investigation
Thakur has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the state government to involve agencies like the CBI and the ED. “This operation has all the signs of a well-organised nexus. The government must act swiftly to expose those involved,” he said.
The case has sparked public outrage and political debates, with concerns about the state’s natural resources and the potential misuse of power. Environmentalists and locals have called for strict action against those responsible.
