Gandebal, Feb 20: Taking advantage of winter season when forest guards find it difficult to keep a vigil in the forests due to heavy snowfall, loot of green gold is going on unabatedly in various ranges of Sindh forest division here.
According to sources, forest smuggling is on rise in forest compartments of Chaturgul, Nagwan and Akhal. “Chaturgul forest has become a hub for smugglers. Rampant smuggling is being reported in compartment numbers 10,11,12,13 and 14 of the forest,” they said.
Locals told Kashmir Images that forest department is making tall claims of protection of forests but given the loot of green gold in Sindh forest division all the claims falls flat. “The loot of our forest cover is going on in broad daylight and the forest department is doing nothing to stop this,” locals said. They alleged that there seems to be nexus between forest department employees and smugglers.
When contacted DFO Ganderbal, Owais Mir, said, “I will constitute an inquiry committee that will investigate the matter and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.”
