HARIPUR, Feb 14: Timber smuggling is continuing in Haripur without any check and the small portion that is left of this natural resource appears to be at risk of being totally destroyed.

According to an estimate, about 5 to 7 truckloads of timber, illegally cut in the upper bounds of Hazara, particularly the Mansehra district and FR Kala Dhaka, are transported through boats via Tarbela Lake to Haripur, sources said.

From here, the sources claimed, the stuff is transported to the local and out-city lumber-yards, some of which are owned by influential personalities. The beneficiaries of this trade also include some former and sitting MPs.

On visiting the Padhana and Afghan camp routes of the Lake, one can routinely see timber smugglers plying their loaded trucks and Datsun pickups, a resident of village Padhana said, accusing the police and forest department of being in league with the smugglers.

Despite claims of police patrol and raid parties being active, a majority of the smugglers are let go scot-free.

When contacted, the DFO blamed the department high-ups for a rise in timber smuggling.

He added that scarcity of funds, shortage of staff and other related facilities were in fact hampering concrete steps aimed at curbing the menace.

He said that he had only 3 to 4 persons in the two raid parties who were without arms and ammunition.

“How can an empty-handed guard risk his life braving those (smugglers) who possess sophisticated guns and other weaponry” he queried.