Mir Iqbal
Srinagar, Sept 11: While the forest officials claim that they have been doing “enough” to save forests from smugglers, the loot of green gold is rampant in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The locals said that there is no one to stop them as authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to open loot in the forests.
Locals living near the forest range of compartment number 11A alleged a nexus between the jungle smugglers and Forest Department officials which to loot and destruction of the forests in the area.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bandipora, Zubair Ahmad, said the Forest Department has launched a haunt to nab the smugglers. He said a checking party has been formulated to find the damage in the forests.
Ahmad refuted the allegation levelled by the locals. Similarly, in Aloosa forest belt, locals said the “unabated loot” is going as without any fear smugglers cut trees during night and in broad day light as well.
Locals also alleged that the smugglers and Government employees have formed committees in the villages and divide the compartments among the smugglers.
Wali Mohammad, Forest Range Officer, said the allegations against forest officers were baseless and there were some “vested interests” who for their benefit defame forest employees’ image.
The range officer blamed the casual labourers for blackmailing the higher officials of the department and maligning their image.
People alleged that some smugglers are caught only when they fail to give bribe to the concerned officials and police.
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