Sajad Lone
Srinagar, Sept 24 (KNS): People from Qaziabad and its adjoining areas of Langate of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday accused Forest Department of allowing illegal extraction of sand in forest area.
Sources told KNS that in upper areas of Qaziabad including Kunnel, Tangwari and others, unknown miscreants have started digging forest land to extract sand illegally.
They said officials posted in area are watching mute spectators over such illegal activities and are accusing that the area is not falling in their jusrisdiction.
Range Officer Rafiaabad while talking to KNS said that the area falls under Mawer range, while on approaching Mawer range officer, he said that area falls under Rafiabad arrange. The inter-department situation on the matter has stoked public anger in the area who alleged that the extraction of sand within the forest land is a joint ploy of miscreants and officials of the Forest Department.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
According to residents, the officials concerned are allowing the extraction of land in broad day light and added they are hand in glove with the sand smugglers.
“The Government orders in this regard are being brazenly violated and forest department seems clueless”, locals alleged.
They said extraction of sand is causing huge damage to wooden area and the activities causing massive soil erosion.
Locals added that the extracted material is being ferried in broad day light. They said despite repeated assurances from authorities that illegal exercises in the area won’t be allowed, nothing has changed so far.
North Kashmir Conservator Irfan Ahmad while speaking to KNS assured that he will depute officials to the spot for stopping further damage.
“I will also investigate the jurisdiction of the area”, he said. (KNS)