MANSEHRA: The residents of Kaghan valley have asked the anti-corruption establishment to launch an inquiry into illegal cutting of Guzara forests.

“Illegally cut timber of high quality Dewdar is being used in construction of hotels in tourist resorts of Naran and Shogran but forest department is silent over this huge loss to national exchequer and local environment,” Abdul Sattar, a resident of Bonja Nori, a village in Kaghan valley, told journalists on Tuesday.

Flanked by a group of people from various parts of Kaghan, he said that influential timber smugglers had cut 10 trees illegally from compote No.3 of Bonja Noori reserved forests. He said that they moved anti-corruption establishment for inquiry into the matter but so far no action was taken.

Mr Sattar said that timber smugglers were selling the illegally cut timbers to the people, who were constructing hotels in Kaghan valley. “We want to protect the forests from timber smugglers,” he added.

Official says technical team from Peshawar to investigate the matter

Sohail Ahmad, the circle chief of anti-corruption establishment in Mansehra, when contacted, said that an inquiry on complaints of locals regarding illegally cutting of timber was in progress.

“I personally visited the site where trees are illegally cut and started an open inquiry and seized the record but now a technical team will come from Peshawar to investigate the matter and further proceeding would be based on its recommendations,” said Mr Sohail.

KILLED: A man was killed over a land dispute while another was electrocuted in Safada area of the district on Tuesday.

Mohammad Yousuf and his brother Mohammad Akbar had enmity over the ownership of a piece of land in Khatta-da-Galla area for the last many years.

Both groups had gathered to settle the dispute on Tuesday but they opened firing on each other after exchange of harsh words. Chenzaib, the son of Mohammad Yousuf, received injures in the firing. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injures.

In another incident, an electrician identified as Mohammad Ishtiaq was electrocuted.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2016