UPPER DIR: The district administration has lodged cases against more than 100 people for their alleged involvement in cutting of forests in Kumrat and Charkom areas of Upper Dir.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal Khattak told a press conference here on Wednesday that most of them were sent behind bars.

He said that cases were registered against 71 offenders under Forest Act and 3-MPO for being involved in cutting of trees in a large number in Kumrat.

He said that 60 of them were arrested. He said that raids were being made to arrest the remaining 11 offenders in Kumrat area.

Mr Khattak said that in Charkom area, 60 persons were arrested for cutting trees. He said that six chainsaw machines were also confiscated from them. He said that district administration had already imposed ban on use of chainsaw machines.

He said that the offenders had axed down green trees brutally in which many trees were very young. He said that 219 trees were cut only in Kumrat area.

Mr Khattak said that action against the people involved in cutting trees was necessary government had made a lot of efforts for forestation. He said that government had launched Billion Tree Tsunami project to plant 10 billion saplings. He said the government was serious in preservation of forests.

The official said that timely action against the forest offenders would send a good massage to the tourists, who visited the picturesque Kumrat valley. He added that Kumrat was known tourist destination as people from abroad also started visiting the picturesque valley to enjoy its natural beauty.

Mr Khattak said that Upper Dir was very rich in forests as 55 per cent area of the dist4rict was covered by forests. He said that government wanted to ensure preservation of the forests at any cost. “The provincial and federal governments have issued clear directives for preservation of forests,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2020