Srinagar Jan 22 (KNS): Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement has demanded  that the culprits particularly the construction company and local Govt agencies which have paved way for cutting down of 340 green trees near Zojila Tunnel in Sonmarg area be taken to task as the said act is an open violation of forest and environmental  laws. 

In a statement issued to KNS, Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat has said that stern action should be taken against the company and Government officials who are involved in this criminal act. He said that RTI Movement will move to National Green Tribunal (NGT) of Govt fails to act against the culprits 

“ By punishing a lower rung officer of the forest department and attaching him with DFO office Ganderbal is only a mockery. An independent probe should be held in this whole issue and real culprits should be identified. In past of private construction company axed thousands of forest trees in Pir Panjal forests of Shopian , Poonch and Budgam during laying of Sama Amargad transmission line but till date no probe was constituted how many forest trees were actually allowed to be axed and how much amount was realized as compensation from the company “ said Dr Raja Muzaffar

He further said that if the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) hasn’t given permission to axing 340 trees near Zojila tunnel site , how did the company go ahead with the mass slaughter of so many trees ? 

" We may be forced to file a complaint before NGT if Govt doesn't act against the culprits " read the statement(KNS)