Activists from Diamer Valley on Saturday lamented the government’s inaction against the timber mafia that denuded the valley’s vast stretches of woodlands after the controversial forest policy.
“As sons of the soil, we want to know what action has been taken against the mafia that chopped innumerable precious trees,” said activist Muhammad Khan Qureshi while addressing a news conference in Gilgit.
The policy was approved by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on March 15, a day before his term in office expired. While the policy only allowed transporting four million cubic feet of old stock, the mafia reportedly smuggled fresh timber worth billions of rupees with it, making a huge amount of money.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, however, reversed the policy soon after assuming charge, following pressure from civil society who raised the issue at various forums in Islamabad last year.
“The ban is welcome, but it is useless as long as the smugglers are free,” said Qureshi, flanked by Tanveer Ahmed and other activists from Chilas. Qureshi added the destruction of forests has also resulted in increased natural disasters in the region, making villagers even more vulnerable.
“It is not just deforestation that is destroying the environment; illegal hunting of rare species, including the snow leopard, makes the future of the valley appear bleak,” he said. The performance of forest department officials regarding conservation has been dismal, he lamented.
The speakers termed G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah a weak administrator, claiming he often succumbs to pressure from the mafia.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.
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