Illegal logging: Influentials denuding Chir Pine forests near Murree

200 feet of pine wood, valued at Rs0.5m, was seized while being smuggled into Pindi.

RAWALPINDI:

A recent bust of Chir Pine wood being smuggled into the city brought into spotlight the illegal chopping of the highly-prized tree.   

The north zone forest department on Saturday arrested two men and recovered 200 feet of pine wood costing Rs0.5 million. The wood was being smuggled from Beor in Kahuta.

Forest Department Chief Conservator Raja Khalid Hussain told The Express Tribune that the two suspects were Nasir Amjad and Muhammad Munir, both residents of Matore in Kahuta.

“This is the second such arrest on my watch. Last time, we arrested two people who were only released after being charged fines of Rs1 million,” he said.

In high demand, mainly due to its use in construction, Chir Pine wood sells for around Rs2,500 per foot. The biggest threat to the tree comes from the rapid increase in construction over recent years, especially by private housing societies, which are using pine wood in houses.

Near Islamabad, the tree primarily grows in Kahuta Tehsil, Kallar Syedan and Kotli Sattian. An average Chir Pine tree can grow as tall as 30 to 50 metres, with the trunk’s diameter varying between 2 to 3 metres.

The forest department looks over about 69,000 acres in the three union councils, according to an official; Chir Pine grows on about 45,000 acres of this land.

But these pine forests are decreasing at an “alarming” pace due to rapid chopping.

Powerful timber traders, with political backing, ensure that their businesses run smoothly, said an official of the department asking not to be named. “They have used their political influence to keep their illegal practice running unchecked for many years,” the source added.

The two suspects arrested on Saturday also have the backing of a leading opposition party, the official said. The assertion, however, was denied by North Zone Divisional Forest Officer Abid Hussain Gondal, who said initial investigation indicated that no such political player is involved in the timber trade.

“Nobody from the party has pressured us,” he said, adding that both suspects were booked under the Forest Act.”

It is not just the powerful timber players that threaten the Chir Pine forests, however. Locals in each union council also chop down pine trees without permission, said an official.

He said, “Local residents can’t be ignored, as they present a real threat when they chop down trees for use in house construction.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2012.