KOHAT, Aug 13: A local non-governmental organisation has suggested to the government to launch hydel power projects in Sherkot as the area is suitable for initiating such schemes.

“We have prepared feasibility reports about launching several hydel power projects in Sherkot. Even Provincial Senior Minister Sikandar Sherpao has termed these reports workable,” said Isaar Ali Bangash, the chairman of the organisation.

Addressing a function in Sherkot, he said that due to abundance of streams the area was suitable for initiating power projects. The function was also attended by MNA Shehryar Afridi and MPA Ziaullah Khan Bangash. A large number of local elders and residents of the area were also participated in the function.

Mr Bangash told the parliamentarians that work was suspended on tubewell and a high school for girls was not set up despite its approval by the authorities.

He said that Kacha Pakha bus stand was closed after several bomb blasts there during the last five years. The previous government had promised to set up a sports stadium for the youth of the area but the promise was not fulfilled, he added.

Mr Bangash said that basic health unit in the area was without medicines and a doctor that was causing problems to people as they had to take their patients to Kohat city and Peshawar for treatment.

The lawmakers promised with the people that they would take up all those issues with the provincial and federal government for early solution.

TIMBER: The timber mafia has become active as demand for timber has been increased due to the upcoming winter season and mushroom growth of houses, according to sources.

They said that timber smugglers denuded the precious jungles and affected flora and fauna in Kohat division.

Timber smuggling was being carried out by an influential group with the connivance of police and forest department, they alleged.

Sources said that smugglers concealed timber in trucks and tractors, loaded with soil. They alleged that timer smugglers bribed officials by gifting them wild animals and rare species of birds. The animals mostly included monkeys, wild cats, parrots, sparrows and quail etc, they claimed.

Noor Khan Orakzai told this scribe that he saw a pair of lions in the custody of tribesmen in Darra Adamkhel.

“Trees are cut ruthlessly as winter is close and people need wood for burning and heating their rooms,” sources said. They added that precious wood like Deodar and Partal were used by rich people for making doors and other items in their houses. Deodar was available for Rs60 per square feet in 80’s but now its price is Rs3,700 per square feet.