PESHAWAR: Senator Dost Mohammad Khan from South Waziristan district has alleged large-scale tree felling in Badar area of Upper South Waziristan tribal district and demanded authorities conduct a thorough inquiry into it for action against culpable people.

In a letter to the chief minister, Peshawar’s corps commander and chief secretary, Senator Dost Mohammad Khan drew their attention towards large-scale felling of thick forest in Badar area of Ladha subdivision in Upper South Waziristan district.

“It has been observed that a substantial number of thick and mature trees have been cut, which raises serious environmental and governance concerns,” he noted.

The senator said that on the one hand, the government was actively promoting plantation drives and distributing plants but on the other, felling of forests was continuing in certain areas.

Insists there is lack of transparency regarding timber utilisation

He said that this contradiction created a sense of injustice among the local population and raised a fundamental question as to how people could be expected to protect and conserve forests when such actions are perceived to be undertaken by state institutions themselves.

Dost said that while such security requirements were fully acknowledged, it was respectfully submitted that any tree felling in such circumstances should be strictly limited to actual operational needs.

He also said that the local population should have been taken into confidence prior to undertaking such activity, particularly where extensive chopping down of matured trees was involved.

The senator said that the felling of thick forest in fragile and mountainous areas such as tribal districts could have serious and long-term environmental consequences.

He also said that it had also been observed through social media reports that similar incidents of tree felling had taken place in other parts of the tribal areas, including Tirah area of Khyber district as well as North Waziristan and Orakzai districts, where local communities had protested against such actions.

“These repeated incidents indicate that the issue is not isolated but reflects a broader pattern that requires immediate attention and a coordinated institutional response,” he noted.

Dost said that another important aspect was the lack of transparency regarding the utilisation of the felled timber as it was not clear where the cut trees had been taken and how they had been utilised.

He asked the government to hold a thorough inquiry into the matter on priority.

The lawmaker said that clear and strict guidelines be issued to ensure that any felling of trees for operational or security purposes remains strictly need-based, minimal and environmentally sustainable and that, too, with due consultation of the local population and in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

He also said that a comprehensive afforestation and reforestation plan should be initiated to compensate for the loss of forest cover and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms should be put in place to prevent such occurrences in future.

Meanwhile, a senior official from the department of climate change, forestry, environment and wildlife told Dawn that the department had remained actively engaged, both before and after the merger, in protecting and managing forests in Upper South Waziristan district through close coordination with district administration, law-enforcement agencies and local communities.

He noted that alongside enforcement measures, efforts have focused on community engagement and alternative livelihoods, including training in chilghoza and other non-timber forest products, as well as initiatives such as nurseries and plantations to reduce dependence on forest felling.

“Legal action against offenders, establishment of checkposts and structured forest management have further strengthened protection efforts,” he said.

Regarding the recent tree felling in Halal Algad area, the official said that it was carried out as a preemptive measure under official directives.

He, however, said the department had emphasised that prior coordination is essential to ensure environmental safeguards are upheld.

“Our department remains committed to protecting forest resources while balancing ecological sustainability with the needs and security of local communities,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026