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| Wanton loot of green gold in Kupwara forests | | | Syed Tahir Bukhari
Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Nov 2 : During past two decades of turbulence, thick forests of North Kashmir's Kupwara district were wantonly plundered by timber smugglers. The concerned officials were prevented from doing their duties due to the presence of militants in the forests and their frequent armed encounters with security forces.
According to sources thick forests were devastated recently by timber smugglers in Ridnag and Lalpora areas of Kupwara district and authorities have given them free hand, as they never visits the area for check up.
Locals of Lalpora Sijad Ahmad Khan told early times that he has never come across such a wanton loot of forests in his whole life, for the first time I have seen smugglers were able to chop-off green trees in such a large number without any fear and hesitation.
"I think these smugglers are taking advantage of presence of militants in this area that is why situation goes worse day by day, as matter of the fact is our green lush trees are being sold at higher rates in other markets of the state. He added that smugglers are in nexus with the forest department as nobody dares to speak a single word against them, khan alleged. Another local resident of Dewar Assadullha Bhat said that forests are looted in broad day light and tall claim of the concerned officials are on papers only that cutting down of Deodars and Kair trees without their knowing is all wrong and baseless, whereas they are much aware about everything, but don't take action against these smugglers because they all are involved and support the forest mafia team.
The locals are also aghast over the fact that it is pity that the forest staff which is supposed to protect forests but now it seems that they are in criminal nexus with these smugglers.
They added that scores of green trees are lying on the ground as smugglers had chopped off these trees surely for the purpose of smuggling, it is the negligence on part of department of Forest, however many times in past we informed both the departments of Forest and Police but no action was taken so for. A senior official of Forest Department Kupwara told early times that "today you brought up this grave issue into my notice but in past I also got a complaint that smugglers are hand in glove with some Forest Guard and I have taken up this issue with district administration.
Wishing anonymity he said that I have put my own sources on job and will come to know that who is corrupted and I am not going to tolerate anything with regards to deforestation ,whosoever will be involved in this loot will face the music, he said. |
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