Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Timber smuggling from border area of Kathua to Punjab is thriving despite several border posts created by the authorities on the either side.
Sources said that old Samba-Kathua road is being mainly used by the timber smugglers while Marheen, Sanji Morh, Kotepunnu Nagri-Parole, Narote Jaimal Singh and Bamyal are the major routes from where this timber smuggling is thriving. These routes are considered as most notorious as per the smuggling is concerned.
Not only the timber smuggling, this area downstream Ujh and Ravi river bordering Punjab has become the hub of illegal mining. Right from Kotepunnu along river Ujh and up to Ravi massive illegal mining is thriving in this belt. This activity mostly takes place during night hours and specific rates have been fixed as per vehicle’s capacity at every entry point.
A Sarpanch on the promise of not be quoted, residing in the village along this route said they raised the issue several times and even took up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner Kathua besides DFO and District Mineral Officer concerned to keep check on this illegal activity but things did not improve. He said during night hours the movement of Tractor Trolleys, Tippers/ big Dumpers increases and people living closer to this road are unable to sleep.
He said mostly Sheesham (Tali) Timber is smuggled from this Kandi belt of Samba-Kathua to Punjab, while during winters Khair wood is also smuggled. The people who have such trees at their private land can transport timber by getting permission from the concerned Forest officers for making earnings but under the garb of this, trees from Jasrota Forests Range are axed and smuggled to Punjab through this route along with this valid permission. He said nexus of some insiders in the Forest Department cannot be ruled out. Hardly four days ago, a police party seized 150 quintal of Khairwood in Kathua area, he added.
While DFO Kathua was not available for comments, Conservator of Forests, Jammu East Circle, B Mohandaas said that he will direct concerned Forest officers to strengthen Forest Check posts in the area and increase manpower. He said if needed additional posts will be created and strict vigil round the clock will be ensured. When asked about the shifting of old staff at these posts, the senior officer said he will seek detail from DFO Kathua in this regard.
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