NASHIK: On the backdrop of illegal mining at the foothills of Brahmagiri in Trimbakeshwar, the West Forest Department, Nashik is to undertake survey of forestry through the global positioning system (GPS) to establish forest area and clear encroachments. The area and demarcation of forest land in the Brahmagiri mountain range will now be surveyed at the initiative of the West Forest Department due to the dispute over excavation of private land at the foothills of the hills in Trimbakeshwar.
The Nashik West Forest Department has now started scrutinizing 91-year-old 7/12 extracts to find out whether the excavation site is forest land or not. Talathi Naveen Pardeshi and Kotwal Shankar Laxman Waghere were suspended for violating duty after ordering an inquiry by the District Collector. Notices were also issued to mandal officers and tehsildars. SDM Tejas Chavan has asked for a detailed report in this connection.
A shocking fact came to the fore that despite the denial of permission, about 2000 brass secondary minerals have been illegally mined from this place. Therefore, a penalty notice of Rs 1.52 crore has been slapped on the private developer. In the meantime, for the protection of forest land, a surveyor is appointed in the forest department. The demarcation of forest land as well as forest area will be measured by this officer.
Task force to protect environment
The District Collector has set up a task force to protect the environment as illegal excavations and deforestation are on a rise at many hills in the district. The Collector has directed to hold a meeting once every three months. Additional District Collector Datta Prasad Nade has been given the responsibility of coordinator in the task force.
Members of the Committee are Deputy Conservator of Forests (East and West), District Superintendent of Land Records, Assistant Director of Town Planning, Assistant Director, Senior Geological Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, SubRegional Officer, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, MERI’s Executive Engineer, Executive Engineer, and Archaeological Department.
Representatives of working individuals and organizations in the environment field, representatives of CREDAI, and Naredco will be special guests. District Mining Officer has also been included in the team.
