Forest officials express concern over remarks by MLAs Bojju, Harish Babu

Forest officials in Mancherial and Kagaznagar divisions are reportedly demoralized over remarks by Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju and Sirpur (T) MLA Dr Palvai Harish Babu. Officials said criticism and alleged targeting were affecting their ability to enforce forest protection measures.

Mancherial: Forest officials are apparently irked by what they term as the “biased” attitude of Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju towards the forest department.

Bojju is not only a legislator, but also a member of the 31-member Telangana State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) headed by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. He has figured in the media for criticising forest department officials and imposing restrictions on traffic in Kawal Tiger Reserve. Recently, he announced he would launch a movement against the officials for assaulting five youngsters in Kawal.

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The officials, particularly those working in Jannaram, Khanapur and Utnoor divisions, appear to be demoralized by the stance of Bojju, who criticises the authorities for imposing various restrictions to protect forests and wildlife. They regret that they are unable to work in the three divisions after being targeted by Bojju.

They cited that action was initiated against a forest official on charges of thrashing five tribal youngsters for fishing in streams under Kawal Tiger Reserve recently. However, no cases were booked against those who vandalized furniture at the office of Indanpalli Range Officer and pelted stones at Udumpur FRO for preventing farmers from tilling forest lands a few days back.

A senior forest range officer from Kawal is stated to be planning voluntary retirement as he is pained by the continuous attacks on forest offices. His colleagues are persuading him to withdraw his move. However, forest officials are not showing interest in working within the limits of Khanapur MLA, considering his alleged discrimination against the staffers.

“The task of protecting forests is everyone’s responsibility as per Article 51 A/(g) of the Constitution of India. However, the department does not only have a duty to protect forests and wildlife, but also takes a special responsibility to protect forests. But today it has become a curse for them. The reason for that is us and the rulers people have elected,” a senior official lamented.

Meanwhile, the forest officers of Kagaznagar division expressed concern over remarks of Sirpur (T) MLA Dr Palvai Harish Babu against the department for stopping people from cultivating crops in forest lands. Harish called the public for a united struggle against the officials in protecting their lands while he was participating in a programme in Penchikalpet mandal on Tuesday. He alleged that harassment by the staffers was becoming intolerable.