Excelsior Correspondent
BHADARWAH, July 15: Forest authorities here today found scores of green pine trees worth lakhs axed illegally at Batogra Panchayat in Tanta Forest Block of Bhadarwah Forest Division where the green gold is already depleting.
Locals and environmentalists allege that instead of nabbing the real culprits, a ‘cover up’ operation has been launched by some officials of responsible Forest Department in the area after the matter came to limelight.
They also allege some timber smugglers in connivance with a few concerned officials were responsible for the illegal act.
Taking tough action against four notorious timber smugglers of Tanta village, Forest Department has registered a case against them.
DFO Bhadarwah, Mohd Ayub Khan said officials of the Forest Department have launched an operation in remote Tanta Block of Kahara Tehsil after the matter of massive falling of Kail trees by some local timber smugglers in connivance with a few officials was reported.
The DFO said that 4 fully grown pine trees were found illegally axed in compartment number 4 of Batogra Forest in Tanta Block.
“The smugglers took advantage of the absence of beat guard who is hospitalised at GMC Doda after the mini-bus he was travelling in met with an accident day before yesterday,” said Mohd Ayub Khan adding: “The culprit, Manzoor Ahmed, son of Bashir Ahmed, resident of Batogra village has been booked under the Forest Act and Police case will be also registered against him.”
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