Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 14: The Forest Minister made his officers run, not for protecting the forests but for making his marathon a grand success, even as vast forest areas falling under Kishtwar, Marwah and Doda forest divisions are on fire for last several days.
Despite knowing that forest areas in Kishtwar, Padder, Dachhan and other areas of Kishtwar and Doda districts were engulfed by massive fire, many forest officials from Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah rushed to Jammu for participating in the marathon held in Jammu the other day.
Official sources told Early Times that the Forest Minister summoned the officials with clear directions: in case they did not the attend the event, they will have to face the music.
Sources said the Forest Department has done little to prevent the fire from spreading.
"Entire forest from Janakpur, Dachhan was reduced to ashes, but no one from the department took pains to visit the area," said a resident from Dachhan. He said at many places the fire even threatened the local population.
A shopkeeper, Ram Kumar, from Padder said majority of the forest area in Padder is presently in flames.
"It is difficult to even breathe at Gulabgarh and Atholi Padder. A vast area in Padder is on fire, threatening lives and property of the local residents," said Kumar.
He said many people are facing irritation of eyes and throat.
"The visibility is very low. The smoke is spreading. People are ready to help the Forest Department," said Kumar. He said due to lack of equipment, local people are helpless in dozing off the forest fire.
Similar situation is being witnessed in Kishtwar town as forest areas falling under Nagisher, Kamalsatar and Kumbran, which are just 2-3 km from Kishtwar town, are burning for last several days, causing large scale damage to the green gold.
Many people suspected the involvement of Forest officials and timber smugglers in the fire.
Meanwhile, around 1000 officials from remotest areas of various forest divisions like Batote, Bhaderwah, Doda, Kishtwar, Marwah, Ramnagar, Udhampur, Billawar, Kathua, Reasi, Mahore, Nowshera, Rajouri and Poonch were 'forced' to appear in the marathon.
After the Sidhra incident, where officials revolted against the Forest Minister's autocracy, most of the officials are scared of the minister's warning and nobody wants confrontation. |
