By CNS on 23/03/2020.

DFO assures immediate action

Babar Rather

Ajas (Bandipora),23 March: Amid Corona Virus Scare senseless people (timber smugglers) busy in felling of immature kail and Fir trees in Cheerihal Bazipora of Ajas Tehsil in North Kashmir’s Bandipora District.

Reports reaching to CNS said that in such days when there is a Lockdown through out the entire valley some people who are bent upon deforestation were seen busy in looting of green gold in the Cheerihal Bazipora Ajas area which reportedly falls under territorial jurisdiction of Wild Life protection Department Bandipora and nobody takes care of the area.

In connivance with officials of the concerned department the smugglers are at prowl and the smugglers without any fear are cutting down trees in the above said area, locals of the area alleged .

Meanwhile, DFO Bandipora Shabir Ahmad admitted the incident and said that I have passed on orders to the concerned officials to take cognizance of the matter and take immediate necessary steps to identify the culprits and bring them to books.He also assured that the matter will also be passed on to the forest protection Department who will assist the concerned department in nabbing the culprits.

Pertinently, Some unscrupulous elements take advantage of the circumstances and annex the area to their occupied land and make it cultivable for planting walnut trees in annexed forest land, locals added.