Baramulla: Forest Department and Forest Protection Force have intensified its operations against timber smuggling mafia in north Kashmir.
As per reports, a series of joint operations have been carried out in the past few days in Doabgah Range to catch Forest offenders substantial quantity of illicit timber has been seized in these operations.
When contacted Conservator of Forests, Irfan Rasool Wani, said that there are attempts being made by culprits to chop down green trees, axe-fashion them into sleepers and deliver them to consumers during night hours. “However, the department has established a very good network of information in municipal and town areas and timely strikes are carried out to thwart such attempts. We have achieved good success at this front,” he added.
Giving details about the latest operations, he said that during the intervening night of 17-18 August 2021, a joint party consisting of Forest Protection Force (Gamma unit, K-07, Baramulla) and Forest Control Room Rafiabad were deputed for operation after receiving input about illicit timber movement. “The said party intercepted horses loaded with illicit timber at Janbazpora and seized Deodar (sawn/fresh) 39no’s=31.75cfts along with three horses during night hours. Seized timber along with three horses was instantly taken into departmental custody.”
In another operation which was carried out in Vijibal Doabgah on 17/08/2021, deodar/Kail 24 No.s measuring 84.91cft was seized from the premises of the Joinery mill of Mohammad Ashraf Sofi.
“The anti-smuggling operations will continue and forest damage doers will not be spared. They will be booked and prosecuted under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act,” he added.
