Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA), J&K Chapter, today urged the Union Territory Government to immediately stop the illegal felling of green Khair (medicinal) trees in village Chilka of Dinga Amb tehsil in Kathua district.
The demand was raised during a press conference chaired by former legislator and ICELA convenor Ashok Sharma, who said that felling of green trees is completely banned under Supreme Court directions and reiterated that even the J&K High Court, in a PIL filed over two decades ago, had prohibited the cutting of green Khair trees. Despite these clear legal restrictions, indiscriminate felling of Khair trees is allegedly continuing in village Chilka, which he described as illegal and unfortunate.
Senior advocates and ICELA members, including BR Chandan, Dr Yashpaul Sharma, Prikshant Shandal, Amit Sharma and Rithik Sharma, sought intervention of the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and Commissioner Secretary Forest Chatur Bhuj Behra to ensure strict protection of Khair trees in Chilka village and across the UT.
Sharma further appealed to ICELA volunteers to remain vigilant and monitor their respective areas, ensuring timely reporting of any instances of green felling.
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