MNC refutes tree translocation failure, gets forest dept notice

Pune: The forest department on Monday issued notices to three employees of a tractor and agri-equipment MNC to report in person to the Shirur range office for an inquiry into the company's alleged failure to translocate 14 trees, falling under the scheduled list, on its Sanaswadi plant premises.The three employees of the MNC, John Deere, had signed a bond with the forest department seeking permission for felling 510 trees on the plant premises ensuring safe translocation of 236 trees. However, Shirur range forest officer Prataj Jagtap had received a complaint that 14 trees were not translocated and their remains were found buried under a tar road built by the company. Twelve of the trees were of neem, while two were of ficus (weeping fig) that cannot be felled, but can only be translocated with permission.Last week, range forest officer Jagtap and seven forest staffers visited the firm to inspect the site. The team found the remnants of the 14 scheduled trees buried under the tar road on the premises of the company's Sanaswadi plant. Following this, the forest department directed its manager to report in person to the Shirur range office for an inquiry into the alleged failure to translocate the trees under the scheduled list."However, only their lawyer turned up at the range forest office with a written statement that denied all allegations. It also claimed that there were no wildlife settlements in those trees. Considering that no one from the company arrived, we have again written to them to show cause as to why we should not proceed legally and asked the three individuals reach the office on Wednesday at 11am," said Jagtap.Though TOI contacted the company's representative through phone calls and email, there was no response till the time of going to press. The complainant had mentioned that there were owl hollows in the trees which could have housed eggs. However, in their written statement, John Deere denied any such nesting, It said the machinery on the premises produces noise of high decibel frequencies that do not allow birds to nest. "In case we discover evidence of the hollows, they will then be booked under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. We will investigate the plant premises furthermore," said Jagtap. For every tree under scheduled species felled, a fine of Rs50,000 can be imposed under the Maharashtra Tree Felling Act, 1964. For habitat destruction, an offender can face possible imprisonment of a maximum of seven years under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972."It has also been pointed out that the terms and conditions in the bond regarding tree felling have been violated," stated the latest notice issued on Monday. The bond was about assurance that translocation of the permitted trees would be ensured.