news details |
|
|
| Jammu and Kashmir government to encourage import of foreign timber | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 4 : Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to encourage import of foreign timber to save local forests which have suffered damages during turmoil period.
Admitting that there was some shortage of local timber in the Kashmir valley and Jammu region for construction purpose in the past, forest minister Mian Altaf Ahmad said the situation has changed now and will improve further in the coming months.
However, he said, there are some people who receive government timber on subsidised rates only to sold it in the blackmarket on higher prices.He said the government will encourage people to set up depot of imported foreign timber which will help us to save the local forests.A number of varities in the foreign timber are of good quality which can be used for construction purpose, he said.
About the complaints that local forest officials and police personnel were harassing traders dealing with foreign timber, Mian Altaf assured that he will look into the matter.
There would be only two check posts, now, he said, adding that he will direct the officials to see that no trader dealing in foreign timber is harassed.He said if people use foreign timber for construction of their houses, the demand for local timber will go down which is good for our forests.He said, the State Forest Corporation (SFC) will be in a position to provide timber to needy customers.
About the complaints that SFC was not providing timber to those applicants who have applied few years ago in Ganderbal district, the Minister said all the allotment after March 2007 have been cancelled suspecting ulterior motives and fraud.During the inspection of records we find that one person was given 21 allotments, he said and admitted that forest employees were also involved in this racket.However, he said, genuine people who need timber for construction of their houses will be provided the timber.
Mr Ahmad said out of 2266 sanctions by the SFC, 1113 were found fake which clearly shows that there was a big racket and government timber was being sold in blackmarket on high prices by these people.The minister said only 195 applications are pending in Srinagar district which will also be provided timber very soon.
About the shortage of timber in the market in the past, he said as per the Supreme Court order nobody can cut any green tree in the forests.We can lift only fallen trees from the forest, he said, adding that 12 lakh sq feet of timber has been stored in different depots across the state for sale. We are also adding 3.5 lakh sq feet more by October end.
He said the SFC is in a position to provide firewood to people from this season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
