MURREE: A large forest area in the Kotli Sattian, Karor and Lehtrar subdivisions of Kotli Sattian tehsil is on the verge of destruction due to unchecked felling of trees and smuggling by the timber mafia and the apathy of the department concerned.

The conifer trees spreading over a vast area in Kotli Sattian about 40 kilometres from the federal capital are being chopped and there is a need for urgent measures to stop the cutting of trees.

On the one hand the government has launched a countrywide campaign for tree plantation but on the other over 80 to 100 years old trees are being chopped by the timber mafia.

The forests of Karor, Lehtrar and Kotli Sattian are spread over 26,000 acres — 13,000 acres are reserved while the remaining fall in the protected category.

There are only 17 employees to protect forests spread over 26,000 acres

But there are only 17 staffers for the protection of the forests, showing non-seriousness and negligence of the government.

These 17 staffers not only guard the forests but also have to work as firefighters when the forests catch fires.

During the fire season from April 154 to July 15, the government used to hire daily-wage staffers but for the last three years such temporary hiring has also not been made due to unavailability of funds.

Besides, there are only two vehicles available with the staffers for the whole area from Lehtrar to Karor and Kotli Sattian. Out of these, a 1995 model vehicle is out of order and in a workshop for months.

The remaining jeep is under the use of the divisional forest officer (DFO) leaving not a single vehicle for the other staff.

During the British era, bungalows were constructed for the staff to protect forests from illegal cutting.

Senior officers used to periodically reside in such bungalows to watch and supervise the tree protection activities. These historical buildings are now in a depilated condition due to the negligence of successive governments. In the past, no one was allowed to enter protected forests.

Locals were only allowed to cut a dry or damaged tree and land was allocated for cattle raring and graveyards only in the Guzara and reserved forests.

But now not only reserved forests but also green trees in the protected forests are being chopped down without a check.

When contacted, DFO Chaudhry Abdul Razaq said there was a ban on recruitment and about 50pc posts were vacant in the department. He said there was only one vehicle available for the three forest subdivisions.

About fires, he said it was not possible to protect the large forest areas with the limited staff. There are no firefighters, vehicles, instruments and other resources.

He said last month when a fire erupted in the forest, his department was contacted by the National Disaster Management Authority and offered a helicopter.

But the forest department had no funds to arrange the other expenditures such as and water supply, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2018