CHITRAL, June 3: Elders of forest areas of Arandu, Damil, Arsoon, Sheshi Koh, Ashrait and Kalash valleys in Chitral district have reiterated that no illegal and ruthless cutting of trees is going on in their areas and reports about deforestation are a mere propaganda advanced by certain elements.

They warned that such propaganda could lead to disturbing the atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the district.

Talking media persons, the elders, including president of joint forest management committees (JFMC) network Ahmed Saeed Qazi, Mohammad Shifa, Anzar Gul and Sher Mohammad, said that transportation of timber of dead and wind fallen deodar trees from the forest to market could not be termed deforestation.

They alleged that some elements were driving a wedge between people of forest covered and other areas, which would not be good for the overall peace of the district.

They warned that if transportation of timber of dead trees was stopped they would put a ban on picking of oak wood from forests, which would create fuel wood shortage in the district.

They claimed that millions of cubic feet of dead wood was decaying in the forests and the government should take urgent steps for its transportation to market.

They asked the provincial government to investigate the allegations by certain elements about illegal cutting of trees, as no such activity was going on in Chitral forests.