SRINAGAR: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district have detained two timber smugglers under the Public Safety Act and removed two forest officials from their posts as part of a crackdown on illegal logging, officials said on Friday.
The action follows a media report published on November 26, which exposed the illegal felling of over 100 conifer trees in Tanta Block under the Chirala range of the Bhaderwah forest division.
In response, the principal chief conservator of forests and the conservator of forests for the Chenab region formed multiple teams to assess the situation. Investigations led by Sandeep Kumar, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, confirmed the large-scale illegal logging. Based on the findings and the past records of the accused, strict action was initiated.
“Two habitual offenders have been booked under the Public Safety Act. They were detained last night and are now in jail,” Kumar said, as per a media report.
The accused, Hashim Din Magray of Kuthal village and Bilal Ahmed Wani of Wani Pura, have a history of multiple offenses. Magray has been booked under forest laws nine times, while Wani has three prior cases against him. Both have also been implicated in attacks on forest officials. The Doda district magistrate formally invoked the Public Safety Act against them.
Kumar further stated that authorities are identifying more habitual offenders and will take stringent action against them. He also assured that forest officials found complicit in illegal logging would face disciplinary measures.
In connection with the case, the Bhaderwah divisional forest officer and the Chirala range officer have been removed from their positions and attached to the principal chief conservator of forests’ office in Jammu.
Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognisance of the illegal felling of over 100 conifer trees in the Mona Nallah area of Doda. It has issued notices to the principal chief conservator of forests, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Doda district magistrate, directing them to submit a detailed report on the incident.
