Mansoor Qadir
- Jammu and Kashmir losing its green cover with rapid speed........
BHADERWAH/DODA: The illegal cutting of green Cedar (Deodar) and pine trees despite Supreme Court ban is fast depriving Jammu and Kashmir of its precious forest wealth. The state is losing its green sheen fast as the forest land has shrunk from 20,230 sq km to just 7,590 sq km as per data furnished by the state Department of Forests earlier this year.
Jammu and Kashmir State which is praised for its greenery and thick forest attract lots of national and international Tourists who visit here and give boost to our state economy; also generate multidimensional public sector employment among 69.7% un-employed youths in Jammu province and 29% un-employed youth in Kashmir province. The Black Gold in shape of Black Cedar ( Deodar) which in this country is available only in Bhaderwah range hills after Germany in the world , also help to maintain ecological balance and rises ample revenue to the state treasury.
Most astonishingly the negative role of administration particularly the forest department from top to bottom is bent upon to fritter these forests to fulfill their vested interests. They are blamed to be accomplice with the forest destruction elements and are such impudent that even when any agency highlights such issues by providing legitimate solid proof even then they hesitate to take any action .
They rather exert to relegate such ruffian age. Meanwhile environmentalists and social workers are up in arms against the forest officials for their alleged involvement in facilitating timber smuggling and land encroachment on an alarming scale. Rajindar Kumar Manhas district president of International Human Rights Organisation shows media team massive illegal destruction of green Cedar trees at Dogli and Gajjot area of forest block Malothi in Killar range of forest division Bhaderwah .
”This is very unfortunate that the forest officer's are getting lakhs of monthly salary for protection of our forests. But they are looting the national precious wealth with both hands” Manhas told and alleged that such a massive damage is not possible without the involvement of higher ups and demanded SVO inquiry against the erring officials . Manhas appealed to Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to look into the matter and demanded strict action against the offenders involved in mass illegal cutting of green cover.
Beside illegal green felling and encroachment in Kellar, Neeru, Chirala and Bhalesa Range of Bhaderwah Forest Division, reports of large scale green felling and massive encroachment of Forest land are also being reported from Siraj and Kuntwara Ranges of Doda Forest Division and Marmat Range of Batote Forest Division.
It's notable to mention here that Geologists and soil Conservationist have more recently held unabated deforestation in Chinab Circle responsible for continuous landslides, sinking of land and massive soil erosion and have warned that Large-scale deforestation could cause irreparable loss to the region. It is pertinent to mention here that the pictures and videos were send to CCF Jammu Roshan Jaggi from the spot for information and necessary action in order to save the precious green gold of Nation.