Courtesy: V.P. Prabhakary Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH: In order to save further denudation of the Arrivals the Haryana Government has prohibited the cutting of trees or timber for any purpose for 25 years in the Ferozepur Jhirka tehsil of Gurgaon district.

The Forest Department is already implementing the Aravali project with the assistance of the European Community not only to arrest the denudation of the hills but also to make them green. The clearing or breaking up of land not ordinarily under cultivation has also been banned by the Forest Department.

The order has also prohibited quarrying of stones or the burning of lime at places where such stone or lime had not ordinarily been so quarried or burnt except with the permission of the Collector of Gurgaon district

The cutting of trees or timber, or the collection or removal of any forest produce other than grass, flower, fruit and honey has been banned, save for bona fide domestic or agricultural purpose of right holders in the land, provided that the owners of the land may sell trees or timber after first obtaining a permit to do so from the Divisional Forest Officer, Gurgaon division. Such a permit will prescribe such conditions for sale as may from time to time appear necessary in the interest of forest conservancy.

The setting on fire of trees, timber or forest produce has also been prohibited by the State Forest Department. The department has also banned herding, pasturing, retention of sheep’s, goats and camels.

However, the Divisional Forest Officer, Gurgaon division, may permit the cutting of trees for house building and agricultural implements and of dry wood for fuel. The officers may also permit the lopping of branches for lac and the sale of chal leaves to leather workers.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 14, 1994