MINGORA: Youth activists of Malam Jabba and suburbs here on Wednesday demanded of the provincial government to take effective action against timber mafia which was busy in illegal cutting of precious trees in their areas.

They said that despite claims of the government and forest department of a strict ban on cutting of trees in the province, illegal cutting of forest trees was underway in different areas of Swat. They said that the timber mafia cut trees, but no action was taken against them.

“I was in Malam Jabba with my friends on a leisure trip that we decided to have a walk in the forest.

Social activists say they witnessed timber mafia’s activity in local forest

“When we reached Paindey area we found people cutting trees and making planks. We also saw other people who were carrying the planks somewhere,” said Anwar, a resident of Bishbanr who was an eyewitness of the illegal cutting.

He said that he was shocked to see the scene and captured the activity on his phone to show it to the people.

“The KP government has been making tall claims of planting trees under different projects, but on the ground open cutting of big trees is going on right under the nose of the forest department,” said Baber Ali, a resident of Mingora who was also part of the visiting group.

Social activists showed concern over the fresh cutting of trees in Malam Jabba area and have decided to launch a campaign against timber mafia.

“Illegal cutting of trees in the forests, along roads and streams has been underway for long time.

“Every time we notice illegal cutting of trees we point it out to the forest department, but it seems the department is not taking action,” said Lawangeen Khan, a social activist in Mingora. He said that his group would soon launch ‘save trees movement’.

When contacted, Swat DFO Raees Khan said that he would initiate an inquiry into the incident of cutting of trees and take legal action.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2019