KHYBER: Unidentified persons unlawfully chopped down a large number of wild berry trees along with other species in the mountainous region of Zakhakhel area in Landi Kotal as demand for firewood increased with a sharp decline in temperature during the last two weeks.

The residents of Mazreena, Shpayla and Tatara localities informed the local forest officials about the ruthless cutting of the wild natural forest. They alleged that an organised timber mafia was involved in the illegal cutting of the natural forest.

Firewood dealers in Landi Kotal bazaar also confirmed purchase of chopped berry trees but they refused to disclose the identity of the sellers.

Locals alleged that no action was taken against the people involved in the crime though several complaints were lodged with the local administration, police and officials of forest department.

Forest officials acknowledged the damage caused to the local forest, however, they insisted that they faced shortage of trained guards. They said that the entire forest, stretching over hundreds of miles from Shalman to Bazaar-Zakhakhel, was managed by only five private guards.

They said that they had on a number of occasions conducted awareness sessions in hujras and mosques besides running forest conservation campaigns through social media, but to no avail.

A large number of forest trees were burnt in wildfire in three different localities of the mountainous areas of Landi Kotal some three weeks ago but the actual reason of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

Officials complain about shortage of trained forest guards

FLOUR: People in most localities of Landi Kotal complained of shortage of flour as the dealers failed to provide them with sanctioned quota of the essential commodity.

They said that flour was not only expensive but it was also very difficult to get it from the officially designated distribution points in Landi Kotal bazaar.

Mian Sajid, a local, said that only 650 bags of 20-kilogram flour were sold at the designated points against the sanctioned 1,970 bags. He said the rest of the bags were sold at inflated prices.

He alleged that local administration had turned a blind eye to the inflated prices of flour and its illegal sale in the black market.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2023