Early Times Report
Anantnag, Nov 30: Forest officials of Lidder Forest Division Pahalgam on Wednesday raided a residential house in Akura village of Mattan Anantnag and seized huge quantity of illicit timber. According to official reports, a special team from the division raided the residential house of Mohd Yousf Pala at Akura Mattan and recovered 57.42 Cft of illicit timber. They said that accused runs of joinery mill as well and according to reports was in trade of selling and dumping the illicit timber since the unrest began in Kashmir. Range Officer Mattan, Iqbal Ahmad confirmed to Early Times that they have seized the timber from the village. He said that department has initiated the investigation as well. Sources said that in past four months of unrest, Kashmir forests suffered immense damage due to timber smuggling. "Timber smugglers are very much active in every part of Kashmir and after education, forests of Kashmir have also suffered massively," an officer said. Earlier, a few days ago, 14 Cfts of illicit timber was also seized by forests officials in Kuthar range of Anantnag. "Night patrolling squad of Kuthar Forest range led by Range Officer Kuthar Mir Mushtaq seized three ponies along with 14 Cfts of illicit timber at around 2:30 am last night," an official informed
The timber smugglers resorted to stone pelting but forest officials offered stiff resistance and compelled them to run away leaving horses laden with illicit timber there which was seized by forest officials, he added. |
