Langate, March 21 (KNS): Divisional Forest Officer Langate in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Tuesday said around half a dozen notorious timber smugglers will be booked under Public Safety Act in order to curb timber smuggling in the area.
Talking to media persons on International Forest Day, DFO Abdul Hamid Malla said that they have booked 6 notorious timber smugglers under PSA in Rafiabad Range.
"Similarly more people will be booked under PSA in Mawer Range, who are notorious timber smugglers."
He also said they are celebrating International Forest Day with an aim to plant saplings on large scale to improve the forest cover. "The plantation will also compensate to the loss that our forests have suffered during timber smuggling and due to natural calamities."
He said J&K has got target of planting 1.50 crore trees, however, in Langate Forest Division, they got a target to plant 2 lakh saplings.
"We are engaging all sections of people, including school children, PRIs and common masses to carry out the plantation drive across the division. Common masses have a greater role to play in the protection of forests," he said.
Meanwhile, during the plantation drive range officer Mawer Mudasir Ahmed, officials from Army, BSF and PRIs were also present. (KNS)