Shimla: The impunity with which precious Himalayan deodar trees have been cut, sized into timber and readied for being domestically used or sold illegally has given cause for concern about the dormant forest mafia resurfacing to make a killing as appetite for quality wood rises.
A joint raiding party consisting of forest officials and vigilance sleuths has been combing the Kalbogh demarcated protected forest in Shimla district for the past week to recover what is being considered as one of the largest catches of timber in recent times.
Having recovered about 2000 logs, Digvijay Singh Negi, additional superintendent police (vigilance) leading the joint team combing the forest area says, “So far we have come across 134 stubs of trees that have been cut down, which can be counted among the best ones that were there in the protected forest.” He said that residents of Gwach village and other neighboring villages who were on the periphery of the 3 Sq Km forest area were prime suspects.
Director General Police (DGP) Daljit Manhas said, “Collusion of lower forest staff in turning a blind eye and allowing cutting of trees has been found, he said.Read Full Story
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