PNS|Hyderabad
Forest Ranger Officer Challamalla Srinivasa Rao of the Chandragonda Range of Kothagudem who was attacked with an axe in the forest area of Errbodu in the Bendalapadu area died on Tuesday.
Foresters said the deceased was trying till the last minute to save the Forest Department’s plantation. The FRO was killed as he tried to prevent the tribal Guttikoyas from cutting down forests for podu cultivation.
“Today while inspecting a plantation in the Chadragonda Range of the Kothagudem Division of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, FRO Srinivas Rao was brutally attacked by Guttikoyas with an axe. He was immediately rushed to hospital where he died in the evening,” IFS officers said.
Srinivasa Rao was earlier presented the late KVS Babu Gold Medal and cash prize in 2020-2021. Srinivasa Rao, (42), is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. He belonged to Dornakal in Warangal District. He was promoted as Forest Ranger Officer on August 16, 2017, in the Lingala Range and Tadvai division and was transferred as FRO of Chandragonda on November 1, 2021.
Forest Minister Indra Karan Reddy condoled the FRO. The Minister said the government is sincerely trying to resolve Podu land issues. “The government is trying sincerely to solve the problem of podu lands. It is not right to attack officials who are merely doing their duties,” the minister said. He made it clear that forest encroachments will not be tolerated and that action will be taken against encroachers.
The Minister asked forest officials not to lose heart and assured them that action will be taken against the attackers and that such incidents will not take place in future. On behalf of the State Forest Officers Association, M. Raja Ramana Reddy, the DFO, Vig-II GS, TS SFS officers Association said, “We strongly condemn the assault on FRO Srinivas Rao who was a sincere forest officer.
