Chhattisgarh witnesses 24 IFS officers under scrutiny in Chhattisgarh with allegations of corruption and deforestation.
A startling revelation has emerged with 31 complaints lodged against 24 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers in Chhattisgarh, leading to ongoing investigations.
Chhattisgarh, renowned for its vast tribal lands and rich forest resources, is facing a severe deforestation crisis. Despite being home to India’s third-largest forest cover, spanning over 56,000 square kilometers, the state is grappling with illegal activities that threaten its natural wealth.
Shockingly, 31 complaints have implicated 24 IFS officers in deforestation, wildlife smuggling, and accumulating illicit wealth. Investigations by the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have exposed these officers’ alleged involvement in illegal logging, wildlife hunting, and misusing their positions for personal gain. Their assets, far exceeding their official earnings, highlight deep-seated corruption within forest management.
Assigned as District Forest Officers (DFOs) across various regions, these officers were tasked with preventing illegal activities in forests. However, they now stand accused of enabling unlawful tree cutting and exploiting wildlife, instead of protecting them.
Chhattisgarh’s forest cover is being decimated, and the very officials entrusted with safeguarding it have become its greatest threat. As the investigations proceed, the focus is on identifying those who abused their power and jeopardized the state’s forests.
This controversy has raised urgent concerns about the state of forest governance in Chhattisgarh. It underscores the pressing need for enhanced accountability and more robust monitoring mechanisms to protect these critical resources. The state’s forests are at a tipping point, raising the crucial question: Who will protect them from those entrusted with their care?
