Kendujhar/Joda/Badabil: More than 500 sal trees and other vegetation were allegedly felled and uprooted using earthmoving equipment in the Uliburu Reserve Forest under the Badabil forest range of Kendujhar district, reportedly to facilitate road construction linked to mining operations.
Acting on information, forest personnel raided the site while the road work was underway and seized three Hyva trucks and two machines, Divisional Forest Officer Dhanraj HD said Wednesday.
According to forest officials, two excavators were used to uproot around 500 sal trees and other vegetation without the required statutory approval. The trees were allegedly transported using three Hyva trucks while a road measuring around 200 metres in length and seven metres in width was being constructed.
The Forest Department conducted raids August 24 and 25, led by Badabil Range Officer Sanjib Kumar Rout, Nalda Forester Charan Soren, Karakhendara Beat Guard Tarakanta Jena, Badabil Range Protection Guard Saroj Sahu and other forest personnel.
The seized vehicles bear registration numbers OR-09-N-8924, OR-02-AH-9045 and OR-02-AK-1372.
Dhanraj said the Belkundi mining lease in the Uliburu Reserve Forest was granted to Odisha Minerals Development Company (OMDC) Ltd in 1941. Forest officials alleged that ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India was involved in tree felling and road construction without obtaining necessary statutory approvals.
Forest Department issued show-cause notices to OMDC and AM/NS through Letter No. 649 dated August 26, seeking their responses within three days. Further action will be taken based on their replies and the findings of the investigation, the DFO said.
Under the Odisha Forest Act, carrying out work in a reserve forest without permission is illegal, Dhanraj said. The department is also questioning OMDC officials in connection with the alleged forest clearance.
Meanwhile, AM/NS India denied that trees were cut during the work. In a statement, the company said it had planned to connect its mine with the railway network to reduce traffic congestion, dust pollution and carbon emissions in the area.
The company said South Eastern Railway had granted permission, at its request, to reconstruct and strengthen the existing OMDC railway line, following which OMDC issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the work.
AM/NS India said the work was being carried out within the designated railway corridor in accordance with relevant Indian Railways standards. The work involves replacing portions of the existing track and strengthening the underlying ground.
The company maintained that no trees were cut during the work and said it was in discussions with the Forest Department to provide appropriate answers to its queries.