SHANGLA: Massive deforestation has been reported in the forests of Yakhtangay valley here.

The valley, which is 20 kilometers from Shangla’s district headquarters, Alpuri, attracts a large number of tourists in the summer season.

The tourists, who thronged Yakhtangay during Eid days, complained about the massive cutting of trees.

Tourists demand action against those behind deforestation

“I came here last year and was amazed to see scores of tall pine and kail trees. However, this time around, I found many of them chopped down. The area gives a very bad look. The forest department is to blame for it,” Rehmat Ali, a tourist from Peshawar, told Dawn.

He said the people should know the difference between deforestation and timber harvesting to save the scenery of Yakhtangay valley.

Latifullah Bacha of Besham said Dewdar trees were illegally cut for high-quality wood used in houses and hotels.

He criticised the forest department for closing its eyes to the deforestation, which he said was not only causing huge loss to national exchequer but also damaging environment.

“Timber smugglers sell illegal wood to the people, who supply it to Swat and other parts of the region. We should act together to protect our forests,” he said.

Umar Hayat, a tourist from Islamabad, said the government should ensure a crackdown on those playing havoc with Yakhtangay forests.

He said the floods had caused massive damage to forests in the valley and they’re to suffer more as there’s a high likelihood of flash floods hitting the region this year, too.

“I like the valley for its dense forests. The government, especially forest department, should ensure the protection of these forests, which will help protect environment and prevent us from disasters,” he said.

The tourist said the region could become more popular with tourists if it was properly developed. Attaullah Khan, owner of a local hotel, said the people had no option but to cut trees to get firewood as there’s no gas supply across the district.

He said the federal government and ruling PML-N’s leaders including local MNA and his brother Amir Muqam had promised gas supply to the region several times, but the promises had yet to be fulfilled and thus, causing deforestation.

When contacted, divisional forest officer Sardar Farhad Ali insisted there had been no deforestation in Shangla for one year.

He said the forest department fined many timber smugglers.

The forest officer said he had imposed a restriction on forest cutting and would ensure legal action against those flouting it.

“Forest protection is our responsibility. Besides, plantation of plants is equally important. We’ve planted a million saplings across Shangla,” he said.

Mr. Farhad Ali said the department lacked guards to protect Shangla forests but it would give more attention to the conservation of Yakhtangay forests as the valley was a tourist destination.

He stressed the need for public awareness of forests especially of the ways to protect them.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2016