Inquiry ordered into tree felling in Devarayanadurga forests (Oct. 07)

Dear all,

The nature lovers in our media have helped immensely in the recent expose of irregularities in Devarayanadurga's jungles. Media of Tumakuru City were among those who caught the forest minister's gunman felling trees inside Devarayanadurga State Forest this Wednesday. The stories carried out by Devaraj, District Correspondent of The New Indian Express and Chandru, TV9 Tumakuru correspondent were noticed by Karnataka's Anti-corruption department(Lokayukta). The Deputy Chief of Karnataka's Lokayukta (Upa-Lokayukta) has ordered an enquiry into this. Please read the story at the end of this email.

In conservation,
Ameen

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SOURCE:
The New Indian Express, Bangalore - State, Page 6
Friday, October 19, 2007

-------Quote-------

INQUIRY INTO CHARGES AGAINST CHENIGAPPA'S GUNMAN, OFFICIALS
Bangalore, Oct 18:

Upalokayukta Justice G Patri Basavana Goud on Tursday ordered a prelimnary inquiry against gunman of former forest minister C Chennigappa amd two forest officials for allegedly felling trees inthe Devarayanadurga Reserve Forest. Taking suo-muto notics of a news report that appeared in 'The NewIndian Express' on Thursday with regard to illegal felling of trees,the Upalokayukta has directed Conservator of Forests, Bangalore Circle, UV Singh to conduct a prelimnary inquiry and submit a report within one month. Based on the report, the Upalokayukta will decide whether or not a regular investigation under section 9 of the Lokayukta Act should be initiated. The report stated that Chennigappa's gunman Hanumanthappa was caught red-handed while fellingtrees and shifting logs from the forest.

-----Unquote-----

Please read yesterday's story on the gunman being caught at http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20071018021527&Page=K&Headline=Chennigappa%92s+gunman+caught+felling+trees&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0

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