Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 22: The Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement today demanded action against the Construction Company and the local authorities responsible for cutting down of 340 green trees near Zojila Tunnel in Sonmarg.
In a statement Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat said that stern action should be taken against the company and Government officials who are involved in this criminal act.
He said that the RTI Movement will move to National Green Tribunal (NGT) of Govt fails to act against the culprits
“By punishing a lower rung officer of the Forest Department and to attach him with DFO office Ganderbal is only a mockery. An independent probe should be held in this whole issue and real culprits should be identified,” he said.
He further said that in the past of private construction company axed thousands of forest trees in Pir Panjal forests of Shopian, Poonch and Budgam during the laying of Sama Amargad transmission line “but till date, no probe was constituted how many forest trees were allowed to be axed and how much amount was realized as compensation from the company,” he said.
He added that if the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) hasn’t permitted axing 340 trees near Zojila tunnel site, “how did the company go ahead with the mass slaughter of so many trees,” he asked.
Follow our WhatsApp channel