BHADERWAH: The large scale felling of black and green cedar and other forest flora is going on unabated in different forests of Bhaderwah division, locals alleged. According to locals the massive illegal cutting of cedar trees in Neeru, Killar, Chiralla and Gandho forest ranges of Bhaderwah division in Jammu can pose a serious threat to ecological balance.
The environment activists have flayed the authorities for inaction, accusing them of conniving with the timber smugglers. They expressed concern in wake of several pictures and videos doing rounds on social media that show large scale felling of Cedar trees by smugglers. Manzoor Qadri, a social activist and environmentalist told CNS that green felling has reached its crescendo in Bhadarwah valley these days which is not possible without the involvement of Forest officials. “It is high time that green felling is stopped otherwise it will be too late to mend the losses to ecology and environment”, he cautioned.
The social activists and the environmentalist are alleging that forest mafia in league with the top officials are busy in looting the green gold while the people at the helm of affairs are acting mute spectators. “The people at the top are least bothered and are giving free hand to looters while some top Forest officers are even getting a part of the illegal income generated by mafia through illegal practice,” they said. Forest officials in Badharwah feigned ignorance about the issue. “If it is really happening then strict action will be taken against the culprits,” they said.