Mohammad Sarfaraz
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Oct 26: Wanton loot of green gold has been reported in the Kreeri and other adjoining areas that connect with Gulmarag, Babareshi, Choonthpathri.
Sources said that the wanton loot of forests goes on nabated in 2012 and 2016, the timber smugglers were taking advantage of unrest in Kashmir valley, and at present the timber smugglers have supplied the green gold in many areas of Krreri belt of this north Kashmir district.
The smugglers have supplied the green logs to many dealers in upper and lower belts of Kreeri area, and dumped them at various unknown places, reliable sources told Early Times. "Scores of green trees were seen chopped off in the nearby forest areas, including Babareshi and Gumarag, adding the same timber was transported on horses from different villages in the upper reaches of Kreeri like from Harnow, Sheikhpora, Shirpora, Brannar, Banji, Kachewmuqam and that was supplied to the customers and dealers in Kreeri belts, said sources.
Sources said that due to the dense forests, the forest officials are afraid of visiting in the forest areas, as there remains a chance of wild animals, and sometimes of unidentified persons, while as fact of the matter is that the concerned department is also not aware of the smuggling in these areas.
For your information, this is not the first time when green trees were cut off, but the smuggling has increased as compared to the past. We were surprised to see after we noticed the same timber was smuggled on the horses during night hours, as we thought that army is making its rounds, but no, the timber was supplied in the mid night, sources informed.
Sources alleged that due to callous attitude of forest department, it seems that some of the employees of forest department are hand in glove with smugglers, and it becomes their responsibility to save forests from these timber smugglers who have made a wanton loot of this natural resources. |
