SOUTH WAZIRISTAN, April 26: Smuggling of timber has not only been causing depletion of forest in the region but also affecting the scenic beauty, a survey said.

Despite a ban on the movement of construction wood in the area, there are heaps of timber in the markets of Makeen, Maidan, Momi Karam, Shakai and Wana. The timber is transported from these places to other parts of the world by bribing the people manning the check-points.