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| We have sent teams; seek police help in tracing forest smugglers : DFO Doda | | Green felling in Kuntwara forests goes unchecked | |  ASIF IQBAL NAIK
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 31: In fresh reports of green felling in Kuntwara area of Kishtwar district falling under the administrative control of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Doda, several green trees have been cut down by the forest smugglers active in the area forcing the authorities to seek the help of the police in tracking down the people involved in large scale green felling in the area.
As per the details available with Early Times, the green felling in Kuntwara’s Compartment No. 26 of Thakraie range is being carried on the industrial scale.
People of Kuntwara alleged that officials and forest guards are indulged in this malpractice of smuggling themselves added that they have extorted huge sums of money from the smugglers and inflict damage on the government property.
The forest areas that witnessed green felling are mostly located in Kuntwara’s Ohli, Bhatkoot and Haddar. The forest guard and officials are censured by locals that they do not perform their duties and are themselves indulged in this illicit practice and called for action against the guilty employees who fail to safeguard the green cover which is slowly and gradually vanishing in the area.
Social activist Deepak Sharma inform that he brought the matter into the notice of range officer Thakraie about deforestation and smuggling in the area of Kuntwara, he assured that strict action will be taken against anyone who is engaged in this malpractice.
Sharma said that he also contacted the Conservator Chenab Circle Satpal Pakhro and furnished to him the details about ongoing malpractices in his circle. “The Conservator assured that all miscreants will be dealt with iron hands after a fair inquiry. He further added that deforestation will not be tolerated at all,” said Deepak Sharma quoting Pakhro (unquote).
In addition to Kuntwara, loot of green gold is being carried out in the Thakrai range on a heavy scale as well wherein the smugglers used to smuggle wood at night in collusion with some insiders of the department.
“It is quite unfortunate that government property is harmed by some miscreants badly for their selfish ends. The forest department must take necessary steps to curb the menace of deforestation in the Thakrai range,” Sharma said.
When contacted DFO Doda, Navneet Singh admitted the reports of damage to green gold in Kuntwara area, adding that the department has constituted teams to look into the menace.
“I have also talked to SSP Kishtwar requested him for police help in identifying and arresting the culprits involved in green felling,” DFO Doda told Early Times.
He said that the department is constantly looking into such complaints added that recently the department seized six wood cutter from the area used by the forest smugglers in cutting the trees. He said that the department also seek the help of local people added that they are in process for the revival of Village level forest committees in voyage earlier.
In a question on reorganization of the jurisdictional issues since the areas of Kishtwar District area falling under Doda Division thus further complicating the monitoring of the area, DFO Doda said that the issue is already lying with the government and the same is to be taken by the government at highest level.
Conservator Chenab Circle despite repeated attempts could not be reached out for a comment. |
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