Destruction of Envi & Forests worrisome : JKCSF
Demands accountability of top Forest officers:Qayoom wani
Terming the ongoing destruction of environment and forests in Jammu & Kashmir as a worrisome issue the J&K Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has called upon authorities at helm to stop this destruction and make the officers of the concerned departments accountable particularly the top brass of the Forest Department.
In a statement Chairman of JKCSF Abdul Qayoom Wani said that during the last more than 6 months Forests in J&K have been the direct target of notorious smugglers who are working in league with some officials of the forest department in many areas.
There has been a massive deforestation in Pir Panjal Forest division , Doodh Ganga forest range of Yusmarg , Chenab region and areas of North Kashmir during COVID 19 pandemic.
Last year also during post 370 lockdown a lot of green trees were axed in forests across J&K. Till date Govt has not made the Forest Officers accountable and the axe only falls on junior level officers. Not even a single senior Forest officer has visited Doodh Ganga forest range to see the destruction in the last 6 months which is a matter of serious concern.
Forest officers' job is not to sit in cozy offices in Srinagar or Jammu but to visit the field as well .
He added that illegal Kothas and illegal structures have been constructed in many areas of Doodh Ganga forest range during the last 2 months while poor shepherds (Chopans) are denied permission even to repair their existing Kothas and huts when they get damaged during winter snowfall.
Wani demanded action against officers who allow such illegal construction.
CSF also has expressed its concern over handing over mining contracts for sand excavation and stone quarrying across J&K to outside firms
He said this will make local people jobless as huhe machines would be used to excavate sand and bajri from rivers which is not environment friendly activity as well.
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