UPPER DIR: Illegal cutting of trees and timber smuggling have been going on unchecked in various areas of Upper Dir.

According to local sources, the forests in Kumrat, Thal, Hatan Dara, Usheri Dara and other areas were on sharp decline. They said that trees were being cut in daytime in various areas as the forest department employees were not taking steps to stop the illegal practice.

They said that precious forests of deodar and other trees had been on decline. They said that the forest department and administration did not allow cutting of trees for domestic use, but smugglers were taking timber to other areas despite presence of checkpoints to check the smuggling.

The local people said that cutting and smuggling of trees would be impossible without the support of forest department.

Sources in the forest department denied the allegation, saying that they were keeping a vigilant eye on illegal cutting of forests and timber smuggling.

However, they said that due to shortage of surveillance staff they had difficulties in taking timely action against timber cutting and smugglers because Upper Dir had a large mountainous area.

The residents said that natural forests were the real beauty of Upper Dir, especially Kumrat, Usheri Dara, Shahi and Dobando Dara.

In this regard, deputy commissioner Khalid Iqbal Khattak called a jirga of elders of Thal, Kumrat and its adjacent localities the other day in his office and made it clear that preservation of forests was the duty of the government and local communities.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2019