The INS News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Regional
    • Srinagar
    • Jammu
    • National
    • World
  • Business & Economy
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Health
  • Jobs & Careers
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Home
  • News
    • Regional
    • Srinagar
    • Jammu
    • National
    • World
  • Business & Economy
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Health
  • Jobs & Careers
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
No Result
View All Result
The INS News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Regional

KCC&I urges action against ‘mute’ officials, seeks high level task to end timber smuggling

INS Desk by INS Desk
May 16, 2020
A A
DM Pulwama surprised over felling of thousands of trees in Sangerwani Forest
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsappTelegramEmail

Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday urged Lt Governor of J&K G C Murmu to take strict action against concerned officials who have failed to prevent illegal felling of trees across the Kashmir Valley.
A spokesperson of the trader’s body termed as commendable the efforts put in by Dr Raghav Langer, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, to bring focus on the loot and plunder of forests by the timber smuggling mafia.
“The day long field visit to Sangerwani forests by Dr Raghav and his team which included long treks into deep forests and using modern technology like Drones to inspect the areas deserves appreciation indeed. But the press reports of thousands of trees being cut is shocking. It is so because thousands of deodar, fur or kail trees wouldn’t have vanished in thin air,” it said, adding, “Logistics involved point to a major loot and plunder operation being in place.”
Reports, the spokesman said, emanating from all other districts of Kashmir like Shopian, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Budgam, Kupwara point towards a flourishing timber smuggling operation which cannot exist without institutional patronage. “Reports suggest that hundreds of trees are being chopped off every day and transported in a very organized manner by smugglers often armed using horses and trucks. The plunder is doing irreparable damage to forests and the lucrative profits seem to have drawn unscrupulous elements from all sections. Reports quote mind boggling number of smugglers active in the racket.”
The Forest Department, the traders body said, appears to be miserably failing in posing any sort of challenge to these operations with serious allegations against many of them.
“Neither has the Department been able to put in place effective mechanisms for protection of the forests. The smuggling has also received a shot in the arm because under the Indian Forest Act which has been extended to Jammu and Kashmir it is a bailable offence.”
The Public Safety Act which was originally introduced in the 1980’s to book timber smugglers is no longer applicable to smugglers because of the scrapping of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest (Conservation) Act, 1997 after the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 came into effect in October 2019, the spokesman said.
“Between August and October, 2019 the Forest Department has reportedly filed 59 cases of alleged timber smuggling. But habitual offenders seem to be somehow operating without much bother.”
Besides requesting action against the concerned officials, the trader’s body also urged government to consider the constitution of a high level task force to be headed by a senior functionary. “In order to initiate effective and conclusive action, the KCC&I recommends that the Task Force be headed by a person of impeccable integrity and experienced in investigative police work,” the spokesman said, addin, “The Task Force is needed for creating a sustainable protective cover for our forests against the flourishing timber mafia.”

RELATED POSTS

Elaborate arrangements in place for smooth passage of Ashura processions: IGP Birdi

Youm-e-Ashura: Zuljanah procession begins, LG Sinha joins thousands of Shia mourners in Srinagar

In over 70 years, Srinagar records highest July temperature at 37.4 degrees

Buy JNews
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

CS writes to FS for evacuation of J&K residents from Oman, Dubai, Iran

Next Post

Naveen chairs meeting of Committee constituted to accelerate recruitment process in J&K

INS Desk

INS Desk

Related Posts

Take stern action against those violating law: IGP
Regional

Elaborate arrangements in place for smooth passage of Ashura processions: IGP Birdi

July 6, 2025
Youm-e-Ashura: Zuljanah procession begins, LG Sinha joins thousands of Shia mourners in Srinagar
Regional

Youm-e-Ashura: Zuljanah procession begins, LG Sinha joins thousands of Shia mourners in Srinagar

July 6, 2025
Heat wave: SED advises schools to avoid assemblies in afternoon
Regional

In over 70 years, Srinagar records highest July temperature at 37.4 degrees

July 5, 2025
Under PM’s guidance, J&K Govt changed lives of tribal communities in 4 years: LG
Regional

LG Sinha issues directives on pilgrims’ safety

July 5, 2025
Will seek suggestions from all stakeholder on academic session restoration: Sakina Itoo
Regional

Extension in summer vacation likely on Sunday: Sakina Itoo

July 5, 2025
Police attach property worth  Rs 1.5 cr in Sgr in terror-linked case
Regional

Police attach property worth Rs 1.5 cr in Sgr in terror-linked case

July 5, 2025
Next Post

Naveen chairs meeting of Committee constituted to accelerate recruitment process in J&K

Aug 1, 1990: When 12 civilians including 2 cops fall prey to bullets

Cop Killed as militants attack police party in Kulgam

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *




Mehbooba praises Dalai Lama for his statement on Islam

Mehbooba praises Dalai Lama for his statement on Islam

July 30, 2017
Govt shifts 6 KAS officers, gives additional charge to other  

50 KAS officers transferred

December 20, 2018
Commissioner SMC reviews ongoing projects to ensure timely completion

Commissioner SMC reviews ongoing projects to ensure timely completion

March 9, 2024

About

Indian News Service (INS) is the first registered online news portal from the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Our creative team consists of like-minded and socially concerned team of media professionals who carry decades of experience in their field of profession at their back. Our core values have pillars in honesty, empathy, credibility, equality and integrity.

More

© 2022 INS News - Designed by GITS.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Regional
    • Srinagar
    • Jammu
    • National
    • World
  • Business & Economy
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Health
  • Jobs & Careers
  • Press Releases
  • Blog

© 2022 INS News - Designed by GITS.