The Forest Department has suspended 12 people, including 3 foresters, over allegations of smuggling Sundari timber from the Sundarbans East Zone. The allegations include felling and smuggling of Sundari timber under the guise of Golpata, a type of palm tree foraged with permission from the FD, from Swarankhola range and smuggling of about 1,000 cubic foot Sundari timber from the Jongra patrolling camp of Chandpai range. Khulna Circle Conservator (CF) of Forests Md Amir Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune on Monday that they had temporarily suspended the 12 over the allegations. Both of the committees submitted their reports on May 4, mentioning that charges against 12 of the 15 accused were found to be true. The accused officials have been withdrawn from their respective workstations, said the Khulna Circle CF, adding that divisional steps would be taken against them.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 08, 2017 14:26 UTC