Thousands of tress felled in Madhya Pradesh
By IANSWednesday, February 24, 2010
BHOPAL - Over 67,000 tress have been axed down in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district, state Forest Minister Sartaj Singh said Wednesday.
Singh admitted in the state assembly that 67,297 trees were felled between 2006 and 2009 by people who were influential and powerful in Raisen district.
The minister, however, said that no case of any forest mafia being active has come to light. But villagers from neighbouring states steal wood from these bordering districts. Singh also said no fruit gardens were grown on forest land and claimed the forest department had taken necessary steps to stop illegal felling of trees.
Efforts are being made to stop illegal felling of trees in Raisen and other districts, including Khandwa, Badwani, Betul, Harda and Khargone, he added.
