Mir Iqbal
Shopian, Apr 18: At least 100 walnut trees have been felled in a South Kashmir’s village in Shopian district despite timely complaint to the administration by the villagers.
Villagers of Moshwara, Shopian said that some influential persons have felled at least 80 walnut trees at several locations in the village.
“These people initially chopped more than a dozen trees near a private school on the pretext of developing a playground for school,” the villagers said.
They said the rampant felling went on other places as well as these persons claimed to clear the ground to build a Higher Secondary School, a veterinary, a dispensary and a power receiving station.
The felling continued even though the villagers complained to the Tehsildar concerned, “but he failed to take any action on time.”
As per the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation of Specified Trees Act 1969, certain species of trees, including walnut, are to be preserved by the Government and anybody found violating the law is punished.
Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, told Excelsior that strict action will be taken against the persons found involved in felling of these trees.
“I have ordered an inquiry into this illegal act and whosoever is found guilty will be dealt as per law,” Bhat said.
However, the villagers said that the administration makes these claims only for public consumption as they failed to act even after being informed about the illegal activity. “They are now planning to sell the timber in nexus with some Government officials,” the villagers said.
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