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| Amid lockdown against pandemic, trees worth millions massacred near Dachigam National Park | | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 26: When the rest of the world is making every effort to prevent spread of Covid19, for some in Kashmir, the lockdown has become an opportunity to loot the green gold as over a 100 trees have been massacred near the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Sources said the wanton loot of the green gold worth millions of rupees took place in Mulnar village in Harwan area on government land adding that several Mulberry trees were also cut down in the process.
Sources said the alleged loot was going on for a few days adding that the process peaked on April 23, which coincides with the Earth Day.
“What more can be the irony, than the trees being massacred on the Earth Day but the authorities staying silent,” said an environmentalist.
It is pertinent to mention that the cutting down of Mulberry trees is banned in Jammu and Kashmir.
The environmentalists who are in know of the matter told Early Times that most of the trees were cut down within hours by an “organized timber mafia on prowl in the area.”
“How can over hundred trees be cut down without the concerned officials getting to know about the matter?” asked the locals on the condition of anonymity.
The locals said most of the tree logs have already been transported out of the area. “We had approached the concerned departments to look into the matter and to stop the loot but they all remained silent as if nothing has happened,” the villagers said.
The poor villagers said the leaves of these trees would be used as fodder for the cattle. “We fear that our cattle may die of starvation now,” the locals said.
When contacted a senior official said the matter has come to their notice. “We are looking into the matter and case is likely to be registered,” the official said on the condition of anonymity. |
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