Timber Smugglers, Encroachers take advantage of Kashmir Unrest

Taking undue advantage of current unrest, timber smuggling in Kashmir has reached alarming levels as reports of felling of trees is pouring in from every corner of the valley. According to officials there are reports of trees being chopped down in Doodganaga range, Rithan range, Beerwah range, Kothar range, Tangmarg, Rafiabad, Doabgah range and Kandi range, Ganderbal and in some areas of Shopian-Pulwama. The smugglers have become emboldened to the extent that they are openly attacking forest officials. On July 31 when Forester Mohammed Maqsood Rather took his small team…

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