MANSEHRA: The Kaghan forest division has seized a large quantity of illegal timber and walnut bark (dandasa)during a crackdown on timber smuggling and deforestation in the valley.

“We have zero tolerance for deforestation and timber smuggling and therefore, legal action is being taken against wood smugglers to expel them out of the district under 3-Maintenance of Public Order,” sub-divisional forest officer of Jarad area Amanullah Khan told reporters on Tuesday.

He said the government wanted to promote eco-tourism to attract tourists to the province from within the country and abroad and therefore, it was focusing on the preservation of forests and other natural habitats in Kaghan valley.

Official says timber smugglers will be expelled from district

“We have seized 333 square feet illegal wood and received fine for illegal logging during the crackdown,” he said.

Mr Amanullah said his sub-forest division had requested the deputy commissioner of Mansehra to order expulsion of timber smugglers Mohammad Fiaz and Sajjad Ahmad from the district.

“We will also strive to expel habitual timber smugglers to preserve frosts and nature in Kaghan valley,” he said.

The official said besides the anti-smuggling clampdown, tree plantation was also under way in the valley.

“Our teams have been closely monitoring the chopping of trees at the site of Suki Kanari hydropower project in Kaghan valley,” he said.

KILLED: A man was killed and three suffered critical injuries when a jeep they rode plunged into a deep ravine in Torghar district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the jeep while negotiating a sharp turn on the way from Judbah to Cheer village.

The residents shifted the injured to a nearby hospital, where the doctors pronounced Gul Bashar dead.

The Judbah police registered an FIR and began investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

FACILITATION CENTRES: District election commissioner Mansehra Aziz Bahadar on Tuesday said 14 facilitation centres are helping voters change their addresses mentioned in the computerised national identity cards.

He told reporters here that the Election Commission of Pakistan had extended the last date for the change of the voters’ addresses in CNICs until March 31.

“Voters can’t vote in election in the constituencies, which aren’t shown on permanent or temporary addresses in their CNICs,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2019