Timber smuggling goes on unabated in Kangan

Srinagar, Mar 17 (PTK): At a time when forest department claimed to have taken strict measures to preserve forests in the valley, the loot of green gold is rampant in Akhial Najwan area in Kangan forest division in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

The forest cover in Akhial Najwan in compartments 1, 2, 3, and 4 has suffered extensive damage, which according to locals was happening despite the awareness of forest department officials.

Locals of the area complained that a great game is underway between government officials and timber smugglers. “In the day, the slopes are guarded by Forest department personnel, but in the night, the smugglers get a free hand,” they said.

“We have many times informed the authorities about vandalisation of forests but our requests were always ignored. The smugglers have created a reign of terror and in fact run their own administration. If this goes on, after few years Forests in Kangan Range would turn into a desert,” they lamented. (PTK)