Kaghan Forest Division seizes timber, walnut bark

MANSEHRA: The Kaghan Forest Division has seized a huge quantity of timber and walnut bark during a crackdown launched against deforestation and smuggling in the picturesque valley.

“We have zero tolerance for deforestation and timber smuggling and that is why habitual smugglers are being legally proceeded against to expel them from the district under 3 MPO (Maintenance of Public Order),” Amanullah Khan, the sub-divisional forest officer of Jarad, told reporters on Tuesday.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government at the Centre and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wanted to promote ecotourism to attract tourists from within the country and abroad and by focusing on the preservation of forests and other natural habitats in the Kaghan valley.

“We have seized 333 square feet wood and realised fine on 2262 square feet wood since the crackdown was launched,” he added.

The official said that his sub-forest division had moved a summary to the deputy commissioner of Mansehra seeking expulsion of alleged habitual timber smugglers, Mohammad Fayaz and Sajjad Ahmad from the district.

“We would initiate the legal proceedings to expel more habitual timber smugglers as the Forest Department wants to preserve forests and nature in the Kaghan valley,” said Amanullah Khan.

The sub-divisional forest officer said that people of the Kaghan valley and Jarad were extending support to the Forest Department in curbing the timber smuggling.

He said tree plantation was also underway in the valley alongside crackdown to preserve the environment in the valley.

“Our teams are monitoring chopping of trees at the site of 800 MW Suki Kinari hydropower project being built under China Pakistan Economic Corridor in the valley,” said the official.