SWABI: Illegal cutting of trees continues unabated in the district despite frequent claims of the forest department officials about protection of plants.

During a visit to various areas on Saturday, this correspondent noted that trees along the canals and main roads were usually cut by the people of the region without any check.

It was also observed that numerous Sheesham trees had turned dry, but the forest department did not bother to auction them.

Mir Ghalib, an elder, told this scribe that during the British colonial era people indulging in cutting of roadside trees would be taken to task, but after their departure the system was gradually abandoned.

Local people said that majority of the regions in the district did have the natural gas facility and the residents usually cut the trees for use as fuel wood.

“People cut trees to meet their demand for fuel wood and they don’t care about the issues of environment,” said Qamar Zaman of Gohati village.

Felling of trees would have bad impact on the environment of the region, said the locals, adding it was responsibility of the forest department to protect trees in the area.

When contacted, an official of the forest department said on condition of anonymity that they were taking steps to keep the district green and curb illegal cutting of trees.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2021