Shopian, May 7: The lockdown is proving a boon for the jungle smugglers as they are looting the green gold at will in length and breadth of Kashmir Valley.
Reports said that smugglers in different compartments of Shopian forests are chopping down tall and green trees without any hindrance from the concerned department.
Local sources said that that smugglers have looted and destroyed the Kashmir wealth since the enforcement of this lockdown.
“Smuggling is going on at an alarming rate in multiple compartments. Green long trees are being cut down and ferried on horses in broad day light,” locals of Keller Forest Block said.
They said forest employees as well as officials are in deep slumber and have left these forests on the mercy of God.
Locals said that from past two decades, the forest cover of south Kashmir’s Shopian district has shrunk considerably in wake of unabated jungle smuggling.
“The complaints you file go to deaf ears. Action is being taken only when some smugglers attack forest officials, rest you know, these officials don’t bother to stop this smuggling and in fact are hand in glove with these smugglers,” said a local.
Ironically, a top official from the Forest Division Shopian admitted that smugglers are taking advantage of the present lockdown and have chopped down trees at various places. He said efforts are on to save the green gold and nab smugglers. (KNT)
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