Pulwama,CNS,09-Dec; The nexus between timber smugglers and forest officials is fast turning several forest compartments of Pulwama into barren open fields, while locals alleging that action is not being taken despite presenting solid evidence against the officials.
As per reports to CNS, with the connivance of officers, employees and smugglers, complete clearing of forests is going on while land is being sold for construction activities at high prices. Local people said that from Compartment RI 23 ABC and Compartment 24 ABC, Looting of green gold is going on day and night and government vehicles are being used to transport wood from these compartments to the plains, while a special Tata mobile is being used to transport supply to Band saw mills from Sangerwani forests.
The locals revealed that a resident of Sangerwani, Mohd shafi built a two-storied house in the forest land.
Alleging, that the forest employees received lakhs of rupees from the same resident for the construction, accordingly after which the employees continued to stay ahead until the construction of the house was done.
They also accused Range Officer, Rumshi Range Pulwama and Forester Sangerwani of being involved in the looting of forests, saying that they have so far collected crores of rupees Received from the smugglers.
The delegation from Pulwama including Shabir Nabi Gorsi, Muhammad Faiz Gorsi, Shabir Nabi Gorsi alias Qazi and Munir Nazir Gorsi while speaking to CNS said that they have registered a written complaint with the Chief Conservator of Forests but no action has been taken yet.
According to them, the process of supplying firewood to mosques is going on this time and accordingly, where the supply of firewood under Form 25 is to be ensured under the rules and regulations, however, the collusion of the forester and the ranger can be assessed in this sense that they disregarded the official rules and sold a car full of firewood against 30,000 rupees.
The local people urged the District Development Commissioner Pulwama Baseerul Haq Chaudhary to take action against the involved officers and employees so that the green gold can be saved.(CNS)
