Thaindian News

Lucknow, Dec 25 (IANS) Three forest officials were suspended Saturday for illegally cutting down 70 trees from the Katarniaghat forest range in Uttar Pradesh, the authorities said.”In the preliminary investigations, the three officials were found directly involved in the cutting of trees and selling of wood,” Katarniaghat Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) R.K. Singh told reporters in Bahraich, some 130 km from Lucknow.

“It’s quite challenging for us to trace the entire network of the illegal trade as a number of forest officials are believed to be involved at various levels in the trade. The enquiry is still on and several other officials could face stringent action,” he said.

According to officials, the three suspended are among the seven officials, including a sub-divisional forester, deputy rangers and foresters, who were Friday booked in connection with the illegal cutting down of sheesham and khair trees in Kakraha range of Katarniaghat forest.

The case against the seven officials were registered Friday at the Kotwali police station on the directions of Singh.