Saahil Suhail
Anantnag, Dec 20: The loot of green gold in the name fire wood at valley's famous tourist resort Pahalgam in South Kashmir's Anantnag district is going on unabated with authorities turning blind eye towards the issue.
According to the locals, the timber smugglers, who burnt down the stems of green trees in summer are now taking benefit of the fallen half burnt trees and supplying the same fire wood to Pahalgam hoteliers on low rates with the help of forest department employees. "The forest cover is fast disappearing in the area," the residents said.
These smugglers ferry the timber on horse backs and in vehicles and without any inhibition are supplying to hoteliers. "The timber smugglers are having a field day here and not a single day passes by when trees are not chopped off especially in Compartment number 35 and 36," the residents said.
According to the residents, the forest loot is going on allegedly in connivance with some officials. "The forest officials are fully aware about the chopping of trees. But, they have turned blind eye towards the issue," the residents said.
"All this is happening under the nose of the Forest department. Even some foresters and forest guards have become the part of smuggling process," the residents alleged.
When contacted, Divisional forest officer lidder, denied the allegations of locals and said, "fire wood is only being supplied to masques and locals." |
