One held for making fake document for deforestation

ACHHAM: A man has been arrested in Achham district for allegedly forging an official document to carry out illegal deforestation activities in a community forest.

The accused, Chhatra Raj Timalsena, who also serves as the secretary of a local forest users’ committee, is accused of producing a fake letter under the name of the Panchulli Chaitepatal Community Forest Committee to obtain permission to harvest and sell chotro — a tree known for its medicinal value.

According to Janak Padhya, Chief of the Division Forest Office in Achham, Timalsena used the fabricated document to seek authorization from the Forest Office and subsequently collected approximately 4,000 kilograms of chotro parts, including stalks, leaves, and bark.

He is currently in custody at the District Police Office, and further investigations are underway to identify other individuals who may have been involved in forging documents and unlawfully selling forest products.

Authorities have stated that action will be taken against all those found guilty of exploiting community forest resources through fraudulent means.