Two Timber Smugglers Detained Under PSA in Doda; Forest Officers Removed
Srinagar, Mar 14, KNT: In a major crackdown on timber smuggling, authorities in Doda district have detained two habitual offenders under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and removed two senior forest officials from their posts, officials said on Friday.
The action comes in response to a November 26 media report exposing large-scale illegal logging in Tanta Block of Bhaderwah’s Chirala range. Investigations confirmed the felling of over 100 conifer trees, prompting strict measures against those involved.
The arrested smugglers, Hashim Din Magray of Kuthal village and Bilal Ahmed Wani of Wani Pura, have multiple past violations. Magray had been booked nine times and Wani three times under forest laws, with both also implicated in assaults on forest officials.
The district magistrate invoked the PSA against them, and they were shifted to jail on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Bhaderwah divisional forest officer and Chirala range officer have been relieved of their duties and attached to the principal chief conservator of forests’ office in Jammu.
Officials warned of further action against habitual offenders and complicit forest personnel.
Separately, the National Green Tribunal has taken suo moto cognizance of the illegal tree felling in Mona Nallah, Doda, and sought detailed reports from the principal chief conservator of forests, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Doda district magistrate.
