Strict norms for dealing with forest offences

Shimla The government has decided to set up eight more “van thanas” in the state and framed rigid guidelines to lay down the manner in which forest offences will be dealt with, to ensure accountability.

The guidelines will make the “van thanas” to function on the pattern of police stations, the only difference being that they will enforce the Indian Forest Act. Each “van thana” will register “forest offence report” (FOR) and maintain record of it like FIRs in the police stations. All thanas will be provided a vehicle, a pistol and two rifles so that staff was well-equipped to take on forest mafia.

The eight new thanas are proposed to be set up at Theog in Shimla, Puruwala in Sirmaur, Naggar and Jhibbi in Kullu, Kalel in Chamba, Nankheri in Shimla, Bhagarwan in Kangra, Talhera in Una and Ropa in the Great Himalayan National Park. With this the total number of such thanas will be raised to 17. Read Full Story