Bandipora people threaten agitation against green gold loot
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Allege forest officials, smugglers nexus; demand action
Mir TariqBandipora, May 28: Alleging nexus between forest officials and smugglers, people in Bandipora have threatened to launch agitation against forest department for plunder of green gold in the forests in this newly created district.
Expressing serious concern over smuggling of green gold in forest-covered areas, the locals, social activists and NGO members have alleged that the forest officials are not doing enough to check felling of trees. They blamed the forester and Range officer for the destruction of forests. Kashmir Social and environmental Organization (KSEO) president Parvez Ahmad alleged that due to the nexus of smugglers and forest officials Khuihamam forest range, the green gold is being vandalized. “The trees in compartments No 85-109 in Khuihamam range are being felled by the smugglers and no action is being taken against them”.He added, "Standing trees in most of the compartments of range Khuihama range were felled by unscrupulous foresters and smugglers, causing environmental imbalance in the region”.The locals told Rising Kashmir that thousands of trees are being cut daily in the compartment Nos 80-85 at Bonakoot and 100-110 in Bhutto and Chiternar.“The smugglers are chopping nearly 10-40 green trees in Bonakoot Bandipora daily,” complained the locals. The residents alleged that the forest officials and men deliberately avoid patrolling in Bonakoot, Bhutto and Chiternar in Khuihama forest range, thus giving free access to smugglers. After receiving complaints from the locals, District Commissioner Bandipora, Sheikh Mushtaq alarmed the government about the destruction of forests in Bandipora. The government sent a team of officials headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Hafizullah Mir to have on-spot assessment of the situation. There are reports that the team was not allowed entry into the forests to inspect the destruction caused to green gold. Locals said that they have brought the issue to the notice of authorities time and again, but of no avail. A social worker, Mohammad Ramzan said, "The thick and dense forests in Bonakoot and Chiternear are dwindling fast as smugglers in connivance with some forest officials are looting the green gold”.Another social worker, Iftikhar Rashid said, "Everyday, the smugglers can be seen ferrying the green logs in trucks. They are able to transport the timber to other parts of state safely”.The stumps of trees lie scattered over a vast land of forests in Bonakoot and Chiternar blocks of Khuihama range. Pointing towards the partially burnt stump, a villager of Bonkoot alleged that forest employees deliberately set afire the remnants to conceal their misdeeds.When contacted, Chief Conservator Forests, Abdul Razak said “The department will initiate inquiry into the matter. The officials involved in facilitating smuggling of green gold will be punished".The forest minister, Qazi Mohammad Afzal admitted the involvement of forest officials in smuggling. “There are black-sheep in the forest department and few officials are involved in this menial job. The forest ministry is probing the matter and guilty would be punished”.Qazi added, “We lack manpower and this is proving a major hurdle in preventing timber smugglers from looting green gold”.