Deodar sighs in Bhaderwah
Green gold is dwindling in this reserve forest area and concrete structures are coming up without any check using the local timber. The timber used in these structures is usually illegal. Bhaderwah is known for deodar but it may soon disappear.
DEODAR AND pine trees are slowly disappearing from Bhaderwah in Kashmir. The forest department here is plagued with favoritism, mismanagement and nepotism. The officials of Bhaderwah division are involved in corrupt activities in which timber smugglers are felling deodar, pine trees rampantly. It is also said that these smugglers are giving regular ‘hafta’ to the forest department. It is also charged that senior foresters have been placed or attached in the office and corrupt and ad hoc foresters are getting prime postings.
Locals allege that bungling is rampant here in which the number of forest officers are directly or indirectly involved. The cutting of green trees viz deodar, pines, morh and sal is rampantly going on in Bhaderwah without any hindrance. Bhaderwah is known for deodar but due the timber smugglers and corrupt forest officials it may soon disappear.
Green gold is dwindling in this reserve forest area and concrete structures are coming up without any check using the local timber. The timber used in these structures is usually illegal and among hundreds of logs used only 15 to 20 are cleared through the legal procedures of the department.
In 2005, under the scheme of CM’s participatory forestation a lot of trees were planted on papers and in 2006 plantation was done yet again. But in 2007 due to fire the whole plantation was damaged. But in fact, there was nothing on ground except defrauding the exchequer.
It seems the administration has willfully chosen to turn a Nelson’s eye towards the forest mafia and their illegal activities. Once, the whole Bhadarwah region was surrounded with lush green deodar trees. However, today a concrete jungle has replaced the green gold and the forest mafia is prospering with full patronage of forest officials.
Bhadarwah forests are nobody’s baby as subsequent governments did not pay any attention to its conservation. There is enough evidence of forest officials and timber smugglers of being hand in glove and together presiding over the loot.
Following regular complaints in the media and the villagers started investigation and it was found that that Bhadarwah forest division’s Neeru range and Killar Bhalla range were badly damaged. The local people of these areas alleged that they have never seen any forest official visiting these areas. They further alleged that the forest officials have set major part of the forest on fire in order to avoid being exposed.
The people allege that the timber smugglers have good relations with the forest officials. The village sources also produced proof of cutting of green trees but neither did the forest officials nab the culprits nor did they take any action under the Forest Act. Some lower level employes told this correspondent that they had, several times informed the range officer regarding the damage, but instead of taking action he showed ignorance of the happenings.
Amjad Mir, NC youth president, Bhadarwah alleged that the forest officials are involved in mass bungling in broad daylight and the administration is mum.
When contacted, the range officer refused to comment on illegal cutting of green trees. The need of the hour is that corrupt officials should be punished or else the remaining forest will be lost too.
In 2005, under the scheme of CM’s participatory forestation a lot of trees were planted on papers and in 2006 plantation was done yet again. But in 2007 due to fire the whole plantation was damaged. But in fact, there was nothing on ground except defrauding the exchequer.
It seems the administration has willfully chosen to turn a Nelson’s eye towards the forest mafia and their illegal activities. Once, the whole Bhadarwah region was surrounded with lush green deodar trees. However, today a concrete jungle has replaced the green gold and the forest mafia is prospering with full patronage of forest officials.
Bhadarwah forests are nobody’s baby as subsequent governments did not pay any attention to its conservation. There is enough evidence of forest officials and timber smugglers of being hand in glove and together presiding over the loot.
Following regular complaints in the media and the villagers started investigation and it was found that that Bhadarwah forest division’s Neeru range and Killar Bhalla range were badly damaged. The local people of these areas alleged that they have never seen any forest official visiting these areas. They further alleged that the forest officials have set major part of the forest on fire in order to avoid being exposed.
The people allege that the timber smugglers have good relations with the forest officials. The village sources also produced proof of cutting of green trees but neither did the forest officials nab the culprits nor did they take any action under the Forest Act. Some lower level employes told this correspondent that they had, several times informed the range officer regarding the damage, but instead of taking action he showed ignorance of the happenings.
Amjad Mir, NC youth president, Bhadarwah alleged that the forest officials are involved in mass bungling in broad daylight and the administration is mum.
When contacted, the range officer refused to comment on illegal cutting of green trees. The need of the hour is that corrupt officials should be punished or else the remaining forest will be lost too.
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.forests are being cut in the day n moon light badly...time is near by we will be telling stories that once upon atime there were forests of deodar in the regions of bhaderwah..........plz protect our forests from vanishing .........foret department is cordially involved in the bussniss of forests ...........they make only money from forests and at the same time from goverment........
.Forests are not our life but they also provide life to various species. We the people now take responsibility to save forest.In my opinion, If forest exist then human-being exist .
And thanks to Mansoor Qadir for this Article.
.An afficiant and appriciable story presented by Mansoor Qadir to show the disappering of Forests and showing us the main problem to us.
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