Forest officials booked for collecting cess in Kawal Tiger Reserve

Forest officials, including Kaddampeddur FRO Geetharani, were booked for collecting an environmental cess from trucks in Kawal Tiger Reserve. The move, contested by the district administration, has sparked tension over jurisdiction and conservation enforcement

Nirmal: Kaddampeddur Forest Range Officer (FRO) Geetharani and other forest officials have been booked for allegedly collecting an environmental cess from lorry owners transporting paddy through the core area of the Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR), intensifying the ongoing cold war between the district administration and the Forest Department.

Police said a case was registered under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, based on a complaint lodged by Kaddampeddur MRO Prabhakar on May 29.

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The complaint was reportedly filed following instructions from Collector Abhilasha Abhinav, who had suspended an earlier order issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), which had authorised the collection of the cess. Forest officials had been collecting Rs. 525 from heavy vehicles transporting paddy through the core area of the reserve.

Forest officials defended the move, stating that entry into the core of a reserve is restricted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the 10-year Tiger Conservation Plan. Movement of heavy vehicles is generally prohibited but may be allowed upon payment of an environmental cess. As per a revised order issued by the PCCF, a cess of ₹300 is permitted.

However, forest officials expressed concern that cases were being filed against them despite acting on orders from their superiors, which they said was demoralising and detrimental to conservation efforts in the reserve.

The environmental cess was being collected at designated toll points set up by the department in Tapalapur (Jannaram range), Pandavapur (Kadem range), and Kottaguda (Utnoor range), all located within the core area of the reserve.