MANSEHRA: The forest department on Tuesday arrested six people for occupying its land in Kaghan valley.

According to district forest officer of Kaghan forest range Tahmasib Khan, the arrests were made after repeated notices to the occupants for vacation of land fell on deaf ears.

Mr Tahmasib told reporters in Balakot that the suspects would be produced before the civil judge in Mansehra for trial.

He said his department had also got control of the occupied land, which would soon be brought under forestation.

“We can’t allow anyone to occupy the forest land and those doing so will be dealt with strictly,” he said.

The district forest officer said his department had established forest checkposts in Balakot, Bissian and Bonja areas as part of its efforts to protect the natural beauty of the valley.

He said all available resources were being used to check deforestation in the valley, which was known as heaven on earth.

Mr Tahmasib the department had engaged local community for the protection of forests.

“We have formed forest protection committees in collaboration with local community and thus, cutting deforestation drastically,” he said.

The district forest officer said his department had planted around 0.4 million saplings in the valley, another big step towards preservation of the valley’s natural beauty.

He said there existed no wood factory in the entire valley.

“We are supporting the making of wooden handicrafts in the region but wood in large quantity is not needed for the making of furniture and other wooden goods,” he said.

PTI SPORTS AND CULTURE WINGS: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Kohistan on Tuesday announced to form separate wings in the region to promote local culture and games.

“For the first time in the history of Kohistan district the PTI has constituted its culture and sports wings to organise programmes to promote local culture and sports activities,” PTI district president Room Shahzada told reporters in Dasu.

Local PTI secretary general Fazal Ilahi and other office-bearers were also present on the occasion.

Mr Shahzada said the PTI government had given rights to the people in remote areas of the province for the first time in history and that was why Puttan and adjoining areas were declared a district, Lower Kohistan.

He said the newly-formed PTI wings would help promote local culture and traditional sports.

Mr Shahzada said Habibur Rehman would lead the forum as the president, while Zardar Khan would be its chairman, Umar Hayat general secretary, Abdul Saboor Khan finance secretary, Nematullah deputy general secretary, Alam Zeb vice president and Fazal Akbar senior vice president.