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| Smuggler-official nexus vandalises forests in Ganderbal | | | Majid Nabi
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 9: The open loot and plundering of green gold bysmugglers in nexus with the higher-ups of Forest department has taken a huge toll on environment and various animal species in Ghutli Bagh area of Ganderbal district.
In a startling revelation, people of Afghan descent residing in Ghutli Bagh have been axing and smuggling timber in Forest Compartment no. 40-41 under the nose of district authorities thus leaving various rare species of animals on the mercy of nature. Sources said that the officials who receive huge monthly sums as share for emptying woodland have given these non-state thieves free hand to resort to loot at the cost of extremely fragile environment.
"There is a most corrupt official who is also a Poshtu, these people have been taking undue advantage of the official position of Mehraj Khan who was appointed as a Forester after the death of his father,"sources told 'Early Times'.
Sources claimed that not only the Forester but Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) and Range Officer are also involved in smuggling 'Timber'.
They said that the Ghutli Bagh area has been left in the hands of thieves by administration and no action has been taken against them so far.
"Besides spoiling the environment the rare species of animals and birds have also been endangered, locals cannot raise their voices against these thieves," sources said.
They said that the smugglers have been enjoying due support of higher-ups of the forest department in blanking the forest area.
When contacted Chief Conservator Forests (CCF), he said that he is not authorized to talk to the media.
Sources said that it was CCF who assured strict actions in three days to the smugglers besides exposing them in the media; however he too maintained criminal silence on the issue.
"One cannot tolerate to see as to how timber siblings were axed by these goons, we had complained to the higher-ups about the axing of green gold but they handover the sizeable timber to Forester against proper receipt, ironically the wooden planks suddenly disappeared in the dead of night," sources said.
They said that the width of timber planks was around six to seven feet while as their length was hundred odd feets.
"The team of forest department when arrived to the spot, they tendered the axed timber to Forester, however the smugglers took away the seized timber in the dead of the night thus leaving no proof against them," they said.
They said as per the market rate the cost of single timber which was chopped down by smugglers is rupees five lakhs. |
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