Forest Department caught illegal deforestation for the first time by drone

Chamba, Jan 06 – For the first time, the forest department has caught the case of illegal felling of deodar trees in the forest through drones. An FIR has been lodged against three people in Chamba police station in the case. On Thursday, forest guards were on patrol with a joint team in Mortu forest, which comes under the purview of Chamba forest division. He heard the sound of an ax in the forest. Being a dense forest, it could take time for them to reach the spot. He informed his range forest officer Jagjit Chawla. He along with the team ascertained the situation by flying the drone. With the help of a drone, three people were seen cutting green pine trees.

The team traced the cutting site with a drone. After that the team headed by the Forest Range Officer went to catch the forest katoos. As soon as the team reached the spot, three foresters threw away the sharp tools and fled into the forest. He has identified two of the three. An FIR has been lodged against them in Chamba police station. The tools used to cut the trees have been seized.

Amit Sharma, Forest Officer Chamba said that in winter, the possibility of illegal felling and hunting of wildlife increases in the forests. The department is monitoring the forests with drones. An FIR has been lodged with the police against three people in connection with illegal felling in Mortu forest. Forest cutters who cut trees illegally will not be spared.