HANDWARA: The timber smuggling is going on unabated at shahngri, Hadermali Mawer area of Handwara North Kashmir’s Kupwara district with concerned authorities turning blind eye towards the matter. Locals near the forest range of different compartments from 21, 22and 23 of Hadermali shahngri Division of Kupwara District Thursday, alleged that a nexus between forest officials and Timber smugglers is the source of erasing green wealth.
While talking to Kashmir News Bureau, The residents of the villages Shahngri, Hadermali, Drungsoo, Audoora, said that “ Cutting of green trees are now common in our villages and unfortunately, the department have all information but they failed to take action against the culprits and giving them free hand to earn illegal money. As per locals, smugglers fell green trees, particularly during night hours, after they are burning their roots to protect themselves for evidences and carry the Timber in Tractors for commercial purposes, also cross the several villages for sale.
"The timber smugglers are chopping the trees without any hesitation, they later sell the Timber in various parts of the district, they said. While locals have appealed to higher authority to look after this serious matter and take strick action against the timber smugglers as soon as possible to save the forest. When Kashmir News Bureau contacted District Forest officer he said that “he will look after the matter.”