CHITRAL, May 21: The district council members rejected the harvesting of windfall and avalanche hit trees in the district by an overwhelming majority as only three out of the 24 voted in favour of it.

On the first day of the session, the harvesting proposal was taken up which was bitterly opposed. The majority contended that the forest had already been over-harvested against the forest department’s working plan in collusion with the timber mafia holding political offices in the past.

The proposal was to harvest the windfall and avalanche hit trees and to export to the timber market to generate revenue. But the members rejected the contention saying that in the past, too, the mass deforestation was affected on such flimsy grounds and it should not be allowed this time.

The members also expressed their anguish over the incorrect minutes of the April session. The house decided to put the record straight by omitting the mention of unanimous resolution in support of the presidential referendum, and demanded the transfer of the deputy director of the public works department.

District Nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin also attended the session and briefed the house regarding the certain development activities, particularly the electrification of the Upper Chitral.

SECTION 144: For the first time, exercising the powers of the defunct office of district magistrate, the District Nazim has imposed ban on the cutting of trees and grazing of goats in the Golen Gol area for a period of two months under 144 Cr PC vested in him.