GUJAR KHAN, Jan 6: Due to the chilling winter coupled with shortage of gas and even firewood, people are turning to cutting of trees, putting a devastating impact on the environment.

The city has seen a mushroom growth of stalls selling wood within the recent months. It can easily be observed that all the green trunks and branches of trees have been axed with no other excuse than selling them for earning money. Multitudes of green trees are falling victims to the avarice of sellers and apathy of the authorities concerned who never raise their eyebrows over this irreparable lose to the environment.

The forest department authorities have failed to increase the forest cover and the existing trees are being cleansed with great speed.

It is ironic that the authorities have failed to take steps to check the large-scale deforestation in the region.