| Green gold worth crores set on fire in Kupwara, department in deep slumber | | | S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
Kupwara, Nov 17: Forests are being set on fire by unidentified persons in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, reducing green gold worth crores into ashes, and threat of militancy and non- availability of fire and emergency services is further aggravating the losses while the forest department if in deep slumber.
According to sources, on Nov 4, fire engulfed Rumman Helmatpora and Jugtiyal Halmat compartments of Kamraj forest divisions and in Reshwari, Awoora, Minnar Muqam, Laderwan, Madhama and Ladernad compartments of Keamil forest divisions of Kupwara district in broad day light.
On Nov 10, in Sarigam Lolab compartments of 92 and 93 were set on fire and green gold worth crores was dashed to ground and hundreds of trees were set on fire in Karnah Tehsil, said sources.
Sources further disclosed that common masses are worried about these national assets, as they believe that the concerned department and timber smugglers are hand in glove in setting the forests on fire.
Scores of green trees were gutted in the mysterious fire incidents that broke out during the past few months of unrest in Kashmir valley which had disturbed everything and let off the miscreants involved in torching the national assets, sources told early Times.
Sources further said that, "these forests are also being used by militants for hiding due to which the forests officials and common masses are afraid of visiting there, while as timber smugglers are taking full advantage of it.
A local resident of Awoora Riyaz Ahmad (name changed) said, "non availability of fire and emergency services and deep potholes in roads is further creating hurdles for the concerned officials to reach on the spot and douse the flames.
"These are hilly terrains and vehicles could not ply on these roads and somewhere they are afraid of militancy due to which these green forests goes to fire", he told Early Times.
The local said these forests were used for grazing and this is not the first time that forest has been set on fire by miscreants or timber smugglers. |
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