Baramulla, Dec 23: Days after a video surfaced showing fresh damage to a forest area near the Dhanwas Drung–Manzwas belt of Tangmarg, the Forest Division Tangmarg has confirmed the felling of a fir tree.
An official of the department said that two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and that the timber has been seized from their residential houses.
The arrested timber smugglers have been identified as Manzoor Ahmed Wani, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, and Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar, son of Abdul Rahim Dar, both residents of Nowgam Khag.
Following the viral video, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Special Forest Division Tangmarg, Feroz Ahmad, constituted a five-member team of forest officials under the supervision of Forester Altaf Ahmad Khan.
The team was directed to immediately proceed to the reported site of suspected forest damage and conduct a comprehensive reconnaissance of the area.
The exercise included identification and enumeration of freshly damaged trees with species-wise classification, physical verification of stumps with hammer marks to prevent tampering, and preparation of an inventory of damaged material with approximate dimensions.
The inspection party was instructed to submit a signed factual report within one day, along with geo-tagged photographs, mapped coordinates of the affected spots, a sequence of findings, and brief recommendations for further action.
“Officials on the spot found fresh damage to a fir tree, following which, through technical and human intelligence, information about the timber smugglers was obtained. A raid was subsequently conducted, leading to the seizure of fresh timber from the culprits’ houses. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident,” the DFO Tangmarg said.
Notably, a few days ago, a trekker travelling through the area highlighted the damage to the forest.
The video, which later went viral, caught the attention of both the public and officials and showed the axing of several trees in the area.
Multiple tree stumps are visible in the video, indicating the felling of more than one tree, contrary to the forest department’s claim of damage to a single tree.
The presence of multiple stumps in the video clearly suggests that the damage to the forest area has been ongoing for quite some time.
Although the forest department has claimed damage to a single tree, the multiple stumps narrate a different story, pointing towards more extensive destruction of forest cover.
The viral video evoked strong resentment among viewers, many of whom termed the axing of trees a criminal act and linked deforestation to pollution and the prevailing climate crisis.
“We are witnessing climate change, yet the axing of trees continues, which is one of the main reasons behind it. The forest department must act and take strict action against those involved,” wrote a viewer in response to the viral video.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Forest Officer Tangmarg said that a comprehensive report is being prepared and that strict action will be taken if any official is found to have derelicted duty.
“A report is being prepared. If any employee is found to have derelicted his duty, action will be taken against him,” said Feroz Ahmad, DFO Tangmarg.