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Written by: Sameer Kashmiri

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 06 February 2018

ANANTNAG: Despite the ban of illegal cutting of walnut trees imposed by the government, the south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is being frequently reported for chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut trees on larger level. Sources told to Kashmir News Bureau (KNB) that Walnut trees are being illegally cut down at a time when the Horticulture Department is planning to officially declare Kashmiri walnut as ‘fully organic’. The authorities have not been strict with people cutting down walnut trees illegally. 

The chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut, Mulberry and Chinar is a punishable offence under Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 in the state. However, the residents of Badoora Achabal break this law with impunity. The Act was enacted to make provisions for the topping, lopping, girdling or otherwise damaging a specified tree, although the Act to punish or make bureaucrats accountable for harming rare species of trees is yet to be passed. 

However, officials were seen ‘quiescent’ and “had no information regarding the grace violation of laws in Badoora Achabal Anantnag”.  Sources told KNB that a group of people have chopped at least 60 walnut trees on behest of an order issued from Tehsildar’s office. As far as Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 is concerned, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall fell any specified tree except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this Act. Provided that a permit' granted under this section shall not authorize the felling of a specified tree by any person other than the owner thereof.