Keonjhar: The forest department on Monday issued show-cause notices to two persons over alleged illegal felling of trees along National Highway 49 (bypass road) near Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital.Keonjhar Sadar range officer Ajit Kumar Das served notices to Debu Patnaik of Keonjhar old town and Sanjay Sahu of Keonjhar town, directing them to reply within three days.Sources said the avenue plantation had been raised with govt funds for environment protection and public safety. During an inquiry, the department found damage to the plantation and alleged that 16 trees had been felled to construct a road leading to a plotted land on govt land without permission.The notice has sought clarification on whether permission was taken and under what circumstances the trees were removed. It also asks why action should not be initiated under the Forest Protection Act and why compensation should not be imposed for damage to the plantation.Das said a case will be registered under relevant forest laws and rules if a satisfactory reply is not received.
