The reaction came after Basti witnessed trees chopped down in the area on his recent visit to the area. As a tourist area, the trees in the area are supposed to be conserved.Following the CDO's order, the community forest's president Dil Bahadur Gurung, treasurer Yogendra Bahadur Subedi and general member Dhruba Bahadur Khadka have been arrested. The three were arrested on Sunday from three different places.
According to Basti, he has even sought clarification from the chief forest officer and employees of the federation of community forest on the matter. "At a time when campaigns are going on to boost tourism, members of community forests are cutting trees as they please. They have cut down very precious trees from restricted areas," he said.
He has warned that all the concerned bodies which were supposed to protect the forest against deforestation will have to report on why they failed to notice the apparent deforestation. "I will not hesitate to take action against anyone if found guilty," Basti said.
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