DFO permits felling Simal trees

MAHENDRANAGAR, Feb 1: Instead of taking initiatives for the conservation of Simal trees-- known as habitat for endangered vulture species-- the local administration in Kanchanpur has permitted felling the trees.



The endangered species has further come under threat of extinction after the District Forest Office (DFO) granted permission to fell the Simal trees without the approval of District Forest Coordination Committee (DFCC). DFCC two years ago had banned cutting down of Simal trees. [break]However, District Forest Officer Lal Narayan Singh has permitted felling the trees.



More than 200 locals had submitted applications to the DFO seeking permission to fell the trees.



“However, I have only permitted six applicants,” said Singh. DFO alone cannot issue permission without the approval of DFCC, said Bishwo Babu Tiwari, director at Far-western Regional Forest Office. According to Laxman Dhakal, president of DFCC, DFCC hasn´t given any consent to the DFO.

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