Attacking forest staff not a solution: Indrakaran Reddy

Hyderabad: Forest Minister A Indrakaran Reddy condemned the attack on forest personnel at Azamnagar in Jayashankar Bhupalpally on Thursday and said stringent action would be taken against the culprits. The Minister held a video conference with officials on Friday and interacted with Forest Range Officer Guduri Divya and other staff who were attacked by the villagers.

Divya said the residents wanted to clear 4,000 fruit plants planted in the forest land and cultivate crops. Similar incidents had occurred in the past and written consent was taken from them that they would not encroach forest lands, she said. “When we went to inspect the lands on Thursday, they attacked us indiscriminately,” Divya said.

It is not good on the part of villagers to attack Forest Department personnel who were discharging their duties, the Minister said. Apart from enquiring about the health condition of the staff, the Minister sought details on the support extended by other government departments.

He assured the staff that government would extend all support to them in discharging their duties and wanted them to be brave. The government set up a Cabinet Sub Committee to look into the Podu lands issue and the first meeting would be held on Saturday, he said.

Under forest rejuvenation, forest personnel were planting saplings and it was not their work. Forest officials were discharging their responsibilities under the Forest Conservation Act and if anyone had any problems at the field level, they should bring the matter to the notice of the District Collector and the District Forest Officer, the Minister said.

He said the State government was working with commitment to resolve the land issues and urged the residents of tribal areas to exercise restraint. “People should bear in mind that attacking forest personnel will not solve the problems,” Indrakaran Reddy said.

The video conference was attended by senior officials and staff from all circles and districts. They informed that they are working in line with the government’s priorities and were according top priority to forest protection and forest restoration. They also briefed about the challenges being faced by the personnel at the field level.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R Shobha directed district-wise Forest Protection Committees headed by District Collectors to respond immediately to such incidents and ensure they don’t recur. Representatives on behalf of the State Forest Officers Association, the Forest Range Officers Association, and the Junior Forest Officers Association condemned the attack and thanked the government for extending the required support.

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