The smugglers in Bandipora have been ferrying timber through Wular lake for a long time allegedly due to the official connivance.
Local resident of Nadihal, Garoora, Kema, Aloosa, Khenusa and adjoining areas told that the smugglers use the river route to ship the timber in connivance with the officials of Forest Protection Force (FPF).
The forest cover is fast dwindling here as timber smugglers are using Wular Lake to smuggle the green gold with Forest department unable to curb the practice. The timber smuggling, according to residents, even takes place during the day time.
“A large chunk of population in upper reaches of Bandipora indulges in timber smuggling. They supply logs to smugglers who subsequently transport these to other areas though Wular Lake,” alleged the local resident of Nadihal.
Residents of Nadihla, Garoora, Kema, Aloosa, and Khenusa revealed that during the past two years Wular Lake has become a ‘safe haven’ to supplying the illicit timber to towns and other areas. “Every day in the evening the smugglers in connivance with forest department personnel can be seen ferrying the timber in boats through the waterway of Wular lake ghats,” residents of Kolhama said.
“Most of the timber comes from Arin, Sumlar, Kudara and Mulkhuihama from Ajas range and from the Khuihama range we receive timber from Chandaji, Turkpora, Malangam and Quilmuqam”, said a boatman wishing anonymity, adding “we receive a good fare for ferrying the timber in Wular.” “We are being paid Rs 2000 per trip mostly towards the Banyari Sonawari,” he said.
Many villagers alleged that the employees and officers of the Forest department were hand- in-glove with the smugglers and were very well aware of the means used by them. “The illegal trade is continuing freely,” said a resident, Irshad Ahmed. According to villagers the trade was going on as there are many saw mills which operate illegally in Khuihama range in clear violation of rules and regulations. Even as some mills were recently closed down but hundreds of joinery mills are using the smuggled timber.
According to a forest department official, the Forest Officers receive hefty money from the saw mill owners and some are even run by political leaders. Pointing out that dozens illegal of saw mills and joinery mills are operational in the areas of Ayhthumlla,Ajar,Kaloosa,Bandipoa,and Nusoo areas, local residents said that this has resulted into the large-scale deforestation. “The saw mills promote the trade and many are functioning illegally in the absence of required permission,” added, Irshad.
The deforestation of forests in Bandipore is visible as one enters the forest range at Mulkhuihama,Aloosa,Bhotu and Chandaji. “ The smuggling has been rampant for over five years,” locals told. Alleging that field officials are misguiding higher authorities locals in Sumlar told that there is a need to enhance the monitoring of the forest area. Deputy Director Forest Protection Force Khursheed Maqbool, however said ruled out any alarming situation. He said that the department has managed to curb the timber theft, but admitted that in Kamraj Division timber smugglers have been active. He however said that the department lacks man power to control the theft.
