BATTAGRAM: The local social activists have demanded of the authorities to take action against timber smugglers for cutting precious trees ruthlessly in the district.

They alleged that deforestation continued in the district unchecked as timber smugglers were cutting trees on the mountains. They said that recently dozens of trees worth millions of rupees were chopped down Pashto Baba Band area in Allai tehsil.

Shafique, a local, told this scribe that he himself saw chopped trees lying on ground during his visit to a nearby mountain. He alleged that timber smugglers cut trees in an organised way with the help of police and forest officials.

Mohammad Irfan, a social activist, also alleged that the timber smugglers were backed by officials and influential political families.

Nimatullah, another local, said that on one hand officials planted saplings to execute the billion tree tsunami plantation campaign and on the other backed timber smugglers to cut down trees.

He alleged that forest officials, recruited for guarding forests, were not even visiting their respective areas. He said that officials only imposed fines on poor carpenters and firewood vendors to show efficiency.

A carpenter in Geroli Bazaar told this scribe on the condition of anonymity that permit-holder contractors cut more trees with the help of officials to sell the same in the market. “When we buy woods from them, officials arrive and impose heavy fine on us,” he added.

The locals demanded of the government to take strict action against the timber smugglers and let small vendors earn livelihood for their families. They said that arresting front men of big smugglers was of no use.

The district administration in a statement claimed to have arrested two persons involved in cutting trees. The statement said that the arrested men were sent to jail after registration of cases against them under relevant laws.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022