Timber mafia strips Jamshoro of trees

JAMSHORO:

Felling and illegal trade of valuable rare trees has intensified across Jamshoro district, with open cutting reported daily in over 70 areas including Kirthar National Park, despite court orders and limited police action.

Jamshoro has turned into a hub for timber trade. Wood from rare species is being transported openly out of the city in Suzuki vans, trucks, Datsuns, Mazdas and other vehicles. The trade is particularly rampant in Kirthar National Park and surrounding areas of Bula Khan police station, Ahmed Khan, Union Council Mol, Chichri, Sanghar, Karchat and Damach.

Residents and sources said the illegal activity is continuing at the behest of a few influential individuals. Areas such as Manjhand, Sehwan, Sun, Jhangara Bajara, Amri and others are also witnessing large-scale tree felling.

Despite the scale of deforestation, law enforcement response remains minimal. Jamshoro police have registered only 4 cases against 50 people this year across 4 police stations. At Amri police station, Forest Department official Shabbir Ahmed nominated 28 people and 5 unidentified persons for cutting trees from forest land and transporting them in a Datsun.