Forest department rejects negligence allegations on timber felling

Officials say inquiry, seizures and disciplinary action were initiated promptly

GANGTOK,: The Forest department has strongly refuted allegations of administrative negligence and complacency in connection with the recent controversy surrounding alleged illegal tree felling in parts of South Sikkim.

It asserted that enforcement measures, seizures, departmental inquiries, and disciplinary action against field officials were promptly initiated by the department much before the issue was raised publicly by the opposition Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim.

Senior departmental sources stated that the government remains committed to forest conservation and environmental protection, and that any felling beyond approved permissions or involving species not covered under official orders is treated as illegal and dealt with under the law. The department maintained that it had already launched investigations and enforcement operations upon receiving complaints regarding suspected illegal felling under Namchi Territorial Range.

At a press meet on June 6, CAP Sikkim had alleged negligence and lack of accountability in the management of forest resources, claiming that large-scale tree felling has taken place in South Sikkim and that both the public and the State are being kept unaware of the actual situation.

However, even before these allegations of complacency were made into political-public domain, the Forest department had responded swiftly, it was informed. A timeline of the action taken was also shared, which the officials maintained, happened days before attempts were made to exploit the issue for political mileage.

According to officials, an independent team was deputed by the Forest department to conduct search and verification operations immediately after a complaint was received on May 29. The operation reportedly led to the detection of illegally possessed and transported timber, following which departmental investigations were initiated at both divisional and headquarters levels.

A senior-level enquiry committee was subsequently constituted to examine the matter in detail, it was informed.

The department further informed that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against certain field-level personnel, including a Range Officer, Block Officer and Head Forest Guard, who have been placed under suspension pending inquiry. Officials indicated that action against other responsible officers at district and sub-divisional levels is also under process in accordance with government service rules.

Timber seized, enquiry underway

Sources further revealed that extensive search operations carried out in forest areas, villages and commercial premises in the Namchi region resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of sawn timber. The seized timber — 625 cft of Dhupi and 414 cft of Phusrey Champ — have been kept in official custody at Chuba Saw Mill as of June 7, pending completion of the investigation. Efforts are underway to ascertain its source and determine whether any violations of forest laws were committed.

It was further informed that the final report of the senior departmental enquiry committee is being finalized and will be acted upon with complete transparency. The department assured the public and all concerned stakeholders that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the enquiry committee.

Timeline of action taken

The Forest department had received the initial complaint on May 29, as per the timeline of action taken so far regarding illicit felling under Namchi Territorial Range.

Swift action followed over the next two days, May 30 and 31. The department deputed an independent team from Gangtok Territorial Division to conduct a search and combing operation.

Upon detection of the offence, the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial), Namchi, was informed and directed to reach the site along with the concerned field personnel of Namchi Territorial Division. At the conclusion of the operation, the independent team formally handed over the case, along with all relevant records and documents, to the concerned Range Officer for further investigation and necessary action.

During the course of investigation, illegally possessed and transported sawn timber was apprehended, seized and deposited at Chuba Saw Mill for safe custody. The illegal timber was seized along the vehicle used for transportation, and from various residential premises.

Following the seizure, an Investigating Officer (IO) was appointed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the case at the divisional level. At the headquarters level, an enquiry committee comprising senior departmental officers was constituted on June 1.

It was informed that the accused persons were interrogated and their statements recorded by the IO. Further investigation and procedural actions were initiated based on the findings.

On June 3, three Forest officials – a Range Officer, Block Officer, and Head Forest Guard – were placed under suspension.

From June 4 to 6, extensive search operations were conducted in forest areas as well as villages in Upper Sadam. Searches were also carried out at the premises of timber merchants located at Namchi Bazaar.

Additional quantities of Phusrey Champ and Dhupi sawn timber were recovered and seized during the follow-up operation, sources informed.

Meanwhile, officials reminded that the Forest department is undertaking thinning operations of Dhupi trees (Cryptomeria japonica) through scientific forest management practices and due administrative procedures. However, any felling in excess of approved orders and of species not covered under such permissions is illegal and attracts legal action.

It was explained that tree marking and felling in Sikkim in private and other forest lands are governed under the Sikkim Private and Other Non-Forest Lands Tree Felling Rules and the marking orders are issued from October 1 to April 30 of every year. Cutting of trees will happen during the period, but conversion may happen at any time after felling the trees. Here in this case, converted/sawn timber of Dhupi and Phusrey Champ has been seized. All legal felling of Dhupi must have been done in the permitted season, said the sources.

The Forest department further highlighted that any legitimate infrastructure expansion or rural road development in the region follows strict statutory requirements and forest clearance norms. Under the existing framework, any unavoidable green cover clearance required for public works is undertaken only after obtaining forest clearance under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (formerly the Forest Conservation Act).