MIR ARIF
North Kashmir’s important area Rafiabad is losing its valuable green gold to the unchecked and unabated greed of forest officials and forest mafia. While on the other hand locals are awaiting sanction for allocation of genuine timber and some applications in this regard are still pending in forest offices from last many years and on the other hand fresh reports of illegal extraction of lush green trees have become a routine matter in forest of Rafiabad especially in upper compartments.
“We are in possession of many photographic proofs of unchecked green felling in compartments No 1,36and 37 of Panzlla where hundreds of lush green trees have fallen prey to unholy nexus between forest officials and mafia,” told some locals.
As a matter of fact, the need base casual labours are directed to cut green trees in night by forest officials and on next day the chopped trees are taken away from forest on the name of “uprooted and
wind fall trees and forest offcials sell timber to nearby timber mills added some locals.
On the other hand Compartment 20 and 40 of Balhama Pathri is looted in broad day light with lush green trees brought down to ground by smugglers every day when kashmir scenario reporter visited Balhama Pathri it was found that young and green trees were chopped on daily basis and kashmir scenario reporter is also in possesion of video evidence from Balhama Pathri forests.
Realities state tall claims of the concerned officials that cutting of green dewdars and kairoo trees is all fake. Infact, they are aware about everything but dont take action because they are involved and allow smugglers told locals of Balhama and Naribal. The locals are also aghast over the fact that It is pity that the forest staff which is supposed to protect forest has entered into criminal nexus with forest mafia to give it biggest dent.