MANSEHRA: The people of Kaghan valley have demanded of the government to curb illegal cutting of trees in Jarad and its adjoining forests.

“We have already met with forest officials and raised the issue of unabated deforestation in the area, but to avail,” Mohammad Fiaz, a resident of Kaghan valley, told reporters on Sunday.

A group of people from Kaghan valley led by Mr Fiaz said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf governments at the centre and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wanted to bring more and more land under forests but situation on the ground was contrary to it.

“The timber smugglers are involved in chopping of deodar, biar and pine trees as saw machines have been installed in the forests by furniture makers, which gives credence to our claims, but officials of forest department are unmoved,” he said.

Mr Fiaz said the government should constitute a committee to probe the large-scale cutting of trees in Jarad and other forests in the valley.

The people also demanded of the government to initiate inquiry to unearth embezzlements in the Billion Tree Tsunami programme in Kaghan valley.

DOG BITES PEOPLE: A mad dog bit many people before being killed in Owas Karni area of the Mansehra city on Sunday.

Those who were bitten were taken to hospital.

Mohammad Azhar, a local, told reporters that because of shortage of anti-rabies vaccine at the hospital it was purchased from the market.

“Stray dogs have been wandering everywhere in the city and its suburbs, but the tehsil municipal administration has failed to initiate action to eliminate them,” he said. Mr Azhar said if not eliminated in winter, stray dogs might cause much damage in summer. The dog bite cases are being reported from Oghi, Darband and Balakot.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2019