WE THE PEOPLE
Owing to non-adherence to norms for extraction, stacking, State Forest Corporation has suffered heavy loss of Rs. 44 crores
Hence people urge Authorities to frame realistic Annual Extraction Plan and improve functional mechanism for ending losses to State Exchequer
By: M. Shirjeel
Srinagar: The J&K State Forest Corporation was established in July 1979 as a Statutory Corporation under J&K State Forest Corporation Act 1978, by taking over the Government Lumbering Undertaking. The main objectives of the Corporation were to exploit forest resources, undertake research programme relating to forest and forest products, provide technical advice to the government matters relating to forestry, maintain forests transferred it by the government and encourage petty labour class by providing them work without resorting to contractual system. The Audit of accounts of the Corporation was entrusted by the government to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 1996-97 under Section 19 (3) of the CAG’s Act, 1971.
As a matter of procedure, the Forest Department hands over marked trees comprising dry, diseased and fallen trees to the Corporation for exploitation. According to the instructions issued by the Corporation, fresh markings were not to be taken over from the Forest Department unless these were physically verified by the Corporation staff. It has been observed that the Corporation had taken over fresh markings during 2003-2004 to the extent of 2.40 lakh cfts that were not feasible for exploitation. This proved that no verification of the markings had been conducted prior to their take over from the Forest Department.
As a matter of fact, the Corporation had enough markings available with it at the beginning of each year. Despite this, it had taken 230.5 lakh cfts of fresh marked trees from the Forest Department for exploitation during 2001-06. Against this total available marking, the extraction varied between 19% to 34% during the above period. Thus excepting fresh markings resulted in creation of additional liability on account of royalty amounting to Rs. 75.45 crores.
Further prolonged accumulation of un-extracted markings resulted in the deterioration of their quality and could not, as such, be exploited for commercial purposes. It was noticed that out of 130.09 lakh cfts of un-extracted markings, 18.98 lakh cfts of timber had either become rotten or was unfit for extraction. Besides, 1.31 lakh cfts comprised green markings, which could not be exploited due to the ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India on exploitation and had not been handed over to the Forest Department.
“We are shocked to learn that nearly one lakh cfts of various species of timber lying since 2001 in Forest/loading points of Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar Divisions had not been carried timely to their final destinations. This resulted in deterioration of the stock, causing a loss of Rs. 2.18 crore to the Department. It has further come to our notice that prolonged accumulation of un-extracted markings, accepting markings without any need and retaining green markings un-necessarily proves absence of control over extraction and quality management of the markings taken over from the Forest Department. It is also alleged that the officials of the Corporation generally enter into a conspiracy with the contractors to loot state wealth. This calls for strict vigil by the State Vigilance Organisation so that green wealth of the state is preserved and protected. It is to be kept mind that it is not the question of money, which matters, but the Forests have direct effect on ecology. Loss of Forest wealth has also given rise to siltation in rivers in nallahs which has contributed towards reduction in their discharging capacities to a large extent,” said a group of keen Watchers of Kashmir situation.
Hence people urge Authorities to frame realistic Annual Plan for extraction, improve its functional mechanism to stop recurring losses to state exchequer. Once proper surveys are conducted, areas for extraction identified plans drawn and element of accountability developed, the safety and security of our green wealth can be guaranteed. This can be achieved if the government overhauls the Department and ensures achievement of targets without fail. . (to be continued).
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