MEMORANDUM

FILE NO. : FS: 3/2/2 SWC

TO : Mr. Randy Maharaj, Forester III,
South-West Conservancy
u.f.s. Mr. Ravi Dookran, Forester II
South-West Conservancy

FROM : Mr. Ian Seetahal

Forester I i/c Cedros Range

DATED : 11th February, 2021

SUBJECT : FOREST OFFENCE REPORT, CEDROS RANGE CD/01/21

I have to report the following particulars of a Forest Offence in the Cedros Range.

NATURE OF OFFENCE

a. The illicit felling of trees contrary to the Forest Act Chapter 66:01; Section 8; Sub-Section b.

DIMENSIONS OF STUMP ROYALTY

SPECIES
AMOUNT GIRTH [$/¢]
Rousseau Palm 100 Trees 0-1’ 360.00
Tillariee 20 Trees 1-2’ 172.80
Cocorite Palm 10 Trees 3-4’ 108.00
Total 640.80

SUSPECTED OFFENDER, Name and Address

b. Steve Ramdeen,
Lot# 21 Bamboo Village, Cedros.
Phone# 705-1529.
DP# 77550

c. Locality
Carlisle Trace, Coromandel, Cedros.
d. PARTICULARS

On Wenesday 3rd February, 2021, Mr. Visham Maharaj, Forest Ranger 1 and myself proceeded
to investigate, a report of felling of trees on state land in the vicinity of Calisle Trace,
Coromandel, Cedros.
Upon reaching this location we observed a Blue Madza Pickup registration # TDE 5657 in the
vicinity of the felled trees, on a parcel of land approximately 0.5Ha.
Upon further investigation, we observed an individual inside of the vehicle and immediately
sought the attention of this individual.
We identified ourselves and inquired the individaual’s name, address and telephone number.
The individual presented his drivers permit, which stated the name Steve Ramdeen, of Lot #21
Bamboo Village, Cedros, DP# 77550 and he gave his telephone number as 705-1529.
Further inquiries were made, from Mr. Ramdeen in relation to the felled trees located in close
proximity to his vehicle.
Mr.Ramdeen then informed us that he was responsible for the felling of the trees, and that his
purpose was that, approximately one (1) year ago, he purchased a herd of cattle from Bounty
Farms, located in Icacos, and was only given one(1) year lease on the land. He indicated that
the lease was about to expire and he wrote to the Commissioner of State Lands, indicating that,
he is interested in approximately two hundred (200) acres of state lands to be used as a pasture
to rear his cattle.
He indicated that he got verbal approval from a State Lands Commissioner Officer Mr.
Ramadine, to occupy this parcel of land, to be used as a pasture, to rear his cattle and that Mr.
Ramadine informed a Mr. Samayah from the Forestry Division about this verbal approval.
Mr. Ramdeen informed us that in two (2) weeks he would receiving the written approval for
this parcel of land from the Commissioner of State Lands and that he had documents for the
parcel of land but not with him, at that moment.
I advised him that he should visit the Cap-de- Ville Nursery office, Forestry Division on
Tuesday 9th February, 2021 to present his documents.
On Tuesday 9th February, 2021, Mr. Ramdeen visited the Cap- de- Ville Nursery office,
Forestry Division, and presented documents pertaining to the parcel of land that trees are being
felled. (See attached copy of documents Mr. Ramdeen presented.)
The documents were received and filed, and Mr. Ravi Dookran. Forester II, S.W.C. also spoke
to Mr. Ramdeen.
On Wednesday 10th February, 2021, I visited the Land Management Division, Reid Road,
Point Fortin and met with Assistant Inspector of State Lands, St. Patrick West, Mr. Shawn
Pysadee, to inquire into the legality of Mr.Ramdeen’s claim.
Mr. Pysadee was furnished with a copy of the documents received, and informed me that this
matter would be investigated and that I would be notified of any results.
On Thursday 11th February, 2021, a group of Forest Officers including Mr. Randy Maharaj,
Forester III, S.W.C., Mr. Sheldon Williams, Forester II, S.W.C., Mr. Visham Maharaj, Forest
Ranger I, S.W.C. and myself visited the parcel of land located at Calisle Trace, Coromandel,
Cedros, where the felling of the trees occurred.
We observed that there were fence post being erected along with some burnt vegetation.
At approximately 2:15pm we encountered Mr. Ramdeen and all above mentioned Officers
identified themselves.
Mr. Randy Maharaj and Mr. Sheldon Williams conducted inquiries in relation to the approvals
for conducting such activities.
 Mr. Ramdeen informed us, that he got verbal approval from, State Lands Commissioner
officer Mr. Ramadine , who spoke with a Mr. Samayah, from the Forestry Division of this
verbal approval.
Mr. Randy Maharaj, informed Mr. Ramdeen that he did not have any authority to be on the
land, without written approval.
Mr. Ramdeen was advised to cease all operations immediately, until all written approvals are
presented to the Forestry Division.

Investigations are continuing.

e. WITNESSES
Mr. Randy Maharaj, Forester III, S.W.C.
Mr. Sheldon Williams, Forester II, S.W.C.
Mr. Visham Maharaj, Forest Ranger I, S.W.C.

Submitted for your information.

………………………………………………………
Ian Seetahal
Forester I i/c Cedros Range
c.c. File.

IS/ak
 MEMORANDUM

FILE NO. : FS: 3/2/2 SWC

TO : Forester III,
South-West Conservancy
u.f.s. Forester II
South-West Conservancy

FROM : Mr. Ian Seetahal

Forester I i/c Cedros Range

DATED : 5th February, 2018

SUBJECT : FOREST OFFENCE REPORT, CEDROS RANGE CD/01/18

I have to report the following particulars of a Forest Offence in the Cedros Range.

NATURE OF OFFENCE

a. The illicit felling of twelve (12) trees contrary to the Forest Act Chapter 66:01; Section 8; Sub-
Section b.

DIMENSIONS OF STUMP ROYALTY

SPECIES
HEIGHT GIRTH [$/¢]
2.3 3.3 68.75
Pine 2.0 3.3 68.75
1.10 1.6 68.75
0.11 1.6 8.64
Gommier 2.2 2.8 11.52
2.2 1.11 8.64
1.2 1.6 6.75
Bois Canon 2.9 3.1 10.80
3.3 3.2 10.80
1.11 1.10 8.64
Bois Lay Lay
2.6 2.0 11.52
Tillariee 0.10 1.1 8.64
TOTAL 292.20
N.B. All measurements are recorded in feet and inches.
SUSPECTED OFFENDER

b. Unknown

c. Locality
Pommerack Trace, Cedros Forest Reserve, Cedros.

PARTICULARS
e. On Thursday 25th January, 2018, a group of Forest Officers including Forester II Ms. Nicole
Campbell-West, Forest Ranger II Mr. C. Ramsawak, Forest Ranger I Mr. V. Maharaj and
myself proceeded to investigate an area in Pommerack Trace, Cedros Forest Reserve, Cedros.

Upon investigations, we observed a metal structure hunting camp with the dimensions 31’ x
24’ and twelve (12) tree stumps under and around the hunting camp.

We proceeded to measure and seize the stumps of the felled trees with seizure die #35. We
also observed two (2) vehicles parked in front of the hunting camp, which had the numbers
TCD-1785 Mitsubishi High lux, grey in colour and PAY-6257 Nissan March, white in colour.

There were also two (2) dog kennels close to the hunting camp, of dimensions 12’ x 7’ and 10’
x 4’ respectively.

Enquiries are continuing.

WITNESSES
d. None

Submitted for your information.

………………………………………………………
Ian Seetahal
Forester I i/c Cedros Range
c.c. File.

IS/ak