Belagavi: FIRs against two officials, four others for destroying Tivoli forest

Belagavi: In connection with the destruction of a part of forest near Tivoli in Khanapur taluk, FIRs have been registered against five suspects and two officials of the Forest Department have been suspended.

After cutting of trees at Tivoli came to light recently, the Forest Department had launched an investigation into it. According to sources, the department ordered a departmental inquiry against two other officials accusing them of being involved in the incident. A preliminary inquiry was taken up by a team of higher officials of the Forest Department for the past some days which suspected the involvement of five persons based on local information.

Sources said, officers Y.S. Patil and S.A. Magadum have been kept under suspension. The five against whom FIRs have been filed are Laxman Shivtankar, Pundalik Shivtankar, Mareppa Patil, Madhu Shivatankar and Kallappa Shivtankat, all residents of Haruri village.

The Khanapur forest area is considered to be one of the most-protected forest belts in the state that spreads into the Western Ghats. It is a place for many tigers, leopards and other endangered species with Bhimgad Tiger Reserve not far from Khanapur.

A large section of Khanapur forest has sandalwood trees protected by the department. The entry of people into the dense forest of Khanapur has been banned though locals residing in villages inside the forest are allowed.