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| Loot of green gold continues in Kathua forests | | | Arun Trisal
Kathua, 28 Dec, Ruthless felling of tress is going unabated in forests of kKathua district but the authorities are watching like mute spectators. Timber smugglers and their accomplices are felling trees in kathua Distt in broad daylight despite vehement claims of forest officials claim that situation is under control. Sources said that smugglers after cutting down the trees uproot the stems to ensure that no trace is left behind. The timber mafia has plundered the rich fauna and flora of the district and still is continuing its activities in areas like Ghatti, Dani Bakhta, Hatli, Mehtabpur, Basant Pur and far flung area.
Not only the green gold is looted but the wildlife in above mentioned areas has been affected adversely, some environmentalist of the area rued. They lamented if the happening will continue unchecked that day is not too far that lungs of Kathua will go extinct. Meanwhile some locals also alleged while they are awaiting sanction for allocation of cutting of fresh trees for commercial purpose (as their applications for the purpose still are pending with forest Department of Kathua ) the forest mafia is engaged in felling green trees in Kathua district. "In Kathua most of the green felling is being done in the garb of construction of roads under road connectivity projects, some alleged further adding that hundreds of green trees cut in the area have been sold to the industries. Locals from different areas like Ghatti, Dhani Bhakata, Hatli, Maehtab Pur, Barwal, and several others barely few kilometers from main Kathua township have alleged that green trees are being cut and the stumps of these cut trees tell the savagery of the humans against the Mother Nature which has nurtured humans since the start of the human life. Expressing concerns over the issue, President Youth Movement Sanjeev Verma said the illegal extraction of fire wood from adjacent forests has become serious threat to the Kathua forest cover which may affect the atmosphere as well as eco system of the district Kathua also. "As a part of modus operandi, mafia cut green trees in thick forests instead of dry twigs and then return with which is supplied to brick Kiln owners, Bakery shops and some influential residential houses, he said further alleging, "how they come out of forest cover with their 'catch' to sell in market unchecked reasons better known to the concerned forest department.'
Villagers also alleged that the concerned department has adopted a blind eye approach towards all this. "if the mafia is strong enough forcing the officials at helms of affairs to side line from the issue or the things are as they are being alleged that there exist a criminal nexus between the forest officers and the forest mafia." |
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