MANSEHRA: The forest department has constituted a patrolling squad to curb deforestation and timber smuggling in the Agror-Tanawal forest division here.
“This squad will remain on the move round-the-clock to check deforestation and curb timber smuggling in the widely stretched Agror-Tanawal forest division,” Saeed Wazir, the divisional forest officer (DFO) Agror-Tanawal, told reporters in Oghi on Tuesday.
Flanked by other officials, he said the squad, comprising officers and forest guards, had been constituted to patrol the forests, the Oghi-Darband-Mansehra Road, and high-altitude areas in Agror and Tanawal.
“We expect that effective patrolling will help curb deforestation and timber smuggling in our forest division,” Mr Wazir said. He said that his department had zero tolerance for the chopping of trees and timber smuggling anywhere in the province.
Official says squad’s performance will be monitored daily
“Besides establishing the squad, we have also adopted other strict measures to deal with an iron hand the timber smugglers, which have not only been destroying forests but also depriving present and coming generations of a pollution-free environment,” Mr Wazir said.
He said that the performance of the squad would be monitored and reviewed daily for positive outcomes, and no negligence would be tolerated.
The DFO said that people should also support the forest department’s efforts to curb deforestation and timber smuggling in their respective areas.
He said tree plantation across the Agror-Tanawal forest division was underway to bring more areas under forest cover to provide a hazard-free environment to future generations.
ENHANCED SECURITY: Upper Kohistan deputy commissioner Azizullah Jan on Tuesday directed the prison authorities to adopt extra precautionary measures for the security of the inmates languishing in the Dasu jail.
“You have to take extra precautionary measures for the security of inmates and heighten the boundary wall of the facility,” he told jail authorities during a visit to the prison.
Accompanied by the assistant commissioner and other officials, Mr Jan visited the residential rooms (barracks) and reviewed cleanliness arrangements there.
“This facility lacks an appropriate health and sewerage system. Medicines should be provided to inmates suffering from any ailment,” he said.
The DC said that the district administration would ensure the provision of quality services to the inmates.
He also met the inmates and inquired about the problems they were facing.
Meanwhile, the Mansehra police have refuted a post being circulated on social media platforms about the recovery of the body of a young girl from Kaghan Valley.
A press release issued here said that the police took notice of the widely circulated post but, after a thorough investigation, concluded that it was fake and unfounded.
The fake post said that the body of a young woman, who had gone missing some six months ago, was found in the valley.
Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026
