By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: Despite the ban of illegal cutting of walnut trees imposed by the government, the south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is being frequently reported for chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut trees on larger level.
In a brazen violation of norms, around 120 standing Walnut trees in an nursery were chopped off in Watnard village of kokernag area of Anantnag district by some unknown persons, since last week.
Sources told INS that a group of people have chopped at least 120 walnut trees in Nursery at Watnard village of kokernag area without any order issued from Divissional Commissioner and Concern Tehsildar’s office.
Added that Walnut trees are being illegally cut down at a time when the Horticulture Department is planning to officially declare Kashmiri walnut as ‘fully organic’. The authorities have not been strict with people cutting down walnut trees illegally.
The chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut, Mulberry and Chinar is a punishable offence under Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 in the state.
However, the some unknown persons break this law with impunity. The Act was enacted to make provisions for the topping, lopping, girdling or otherwise damaging a specified tree, although the Act to punish or make bureaucrats accountable for harming rare species of trees is yet to be passed.
While talking to the INS SDM kokernag Rouf Rehman said that I made a committee of officials who will investigate the matter and assured that action will be taken against the involvement of miscreants who grace the violation of laws in Watnard village of Kokernag area in Anantnag District. SDM added.
There is a blanket ban on cutting and felling of walnut trees and the permission for the same is to be sought from the Divisional Commissioner, who can provide such permission in rare cases, if the growth of tree can endanger and risk the life or property.
The authorities have already passed strict orders and a person found involved in cutting walnut tree can end up in jail with a punishment of six months in the lock up.
However, the practice is going unchecked in many rural areas and in many instances the authorities are turning blind eye.
As far as Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 is concerned, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall fell any specified tree except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this Act. Provided that a permit’ granted under this section shall not authorize the felling of a specified tree by any person other than the owner thereof.
Meanwhile a police official while talking to the INS said that we have lodged FIR NO 123/2018 under section RPC No’s 147,149,447,379,436A, 506 – and arrested three accused and further investigation is going on.
By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: Despite the ban of illegal cutting of walnut trees imposed by the government, the south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is being frequently reported for chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut trees on larger level.
In a brazen violation of norms, around 120 standing Walnut trees in an nursery were chopped off in Watnard village of kokernag area of Anantnag district by some unknown persons, since last week.
Sources told INS that a group of people have chopped at least 120 walnut trees in Nursery at Watnard village of kokernag area without any order issued from Divissional Commissioner and Concern Tehsildar’s office.
Added that Walnut trees are being illegally cut down at a time when the Horticulture Department is planning to officially declare Kashmiri walnut as ‘fully organic’. The authorities have not been strict with people cutting down walnut trees illegally.
The chopping down of certain species of tress including Walnut, Mulberry and Chinar is a punishable offence under Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 in the state.
However, the some unknown persons break this law with impunity. The Act was enacted to make provisions for the topping, lopping, girdling or otherwise damaging a specified tree, although the Act to punish or make bureaucrats accountable for harming rare species of trees is yet to be passed.
While talking to the INS SDM kokernag Rouf Rehman said that I made a committee of officials who will investigate the matter and assured that action will be taken against the involvement of miscreants who grace the violation of laws in Watnard village of Kokernag area in Anantnag District. SDM added.
There is a blanket ban on cutting and felling of walnut trees and the permission for the same is to be sought from the Divisional Commissioner, who can provide such permission in rare cases, if the growth of tree can endanger and risk the life or property.
The authorities have already passed strict orders and a person found involved in cutting walnut tree can end up in jail with a punishment of six months in the lock up.
However, the practice is going unchecked in many rural areas and in many instances the authorities are turning blind eye.
As far as Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 is concerned, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall fell any specified tree except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this Act. Provided that a permit’ granted under this section shall not authorize the felling of a specified tree by any person other than the owner thereof.
Meanwhile a police official while talking to the INS said that we have lodged FIR NO 123/2018 under section RPC No’s 147,149,447,379,436A, 506 – and arrested three accused and further investigation is going on.
