Ajay Sharma
Jammu, July 19: Despite repeated claims by successive governments of curbing the unauthorised felling of trees, the alleged large-scale cutting of valuable Khair trees in the forests of Jammu has raised questions over the effectiveness of the forest protection mechanism.
According to local sources, Khair trees—regarded as valuable forest wealth—are allegedly being felled regularly and transported in vehicles during both daytime and night. The alleged activity has raised questions over how such transportation could continue without being detected by the concerned authorities.
A whistleblower claimed that he had brought the matter to the notice of the Forest Minister, who initially assured him that the issue would be looked into. However, he alleged that no further response was received.
He further claimed that another Forest Department official had also assured him that action would be taken, but no concrete steps had been taken so far.
The allegations have raised concerns among locals over the alleged depletion of forest wealth and the effectiveness of the existing system for preventing illegal felling and transportation of timber.
Locals have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials of the Forest Department to order a thorough investigation into the alleged illegal felling of Khair trees, identify those responsible and strengthen forest protection measures to prevent further depletion of the valuable forest cover.
