Three Keonjhar Forest Officials Suspended Over Negligence

Keonjhar: In a decisive move to strengthen accountability, the Forest Department has suspended three frontline officials in Keonjhar district for negligence and administrative lapses.

Forester Pramod Behera was suspended for failing to manage forest fire incidents effectively.

Biswaranjan Mishra, Forester of Ghatgaon, faced suspension for unauthorised absence and delays in patrolling and fire control measures.

Meanwhile, Forest Guard Hrudananda Mohanty was penalised for repeated absence and negligence in assessing crop damage caused by elephants in Patna.

The suspensions highlight growing concerns over forest fire management and human-elephant conflict in the district.

Officials stressed that the action reflects the department’s commitment to improving forest governance and ensuring better protection of both wildlife and local communities.