Imran Shah
Kishtwar,(DD): A controversy has erupted in Marwah Division, Kishtwar, over alleged illegal deforestation and discrepancies in the distribution of sanctioned wood sleepers in Compartment No. 39A.
While local residents claim they never received the wood that was supposedly allotted to them, officials insist that the distribution was carried out as per records.
According to reports, several locals have raised concerns that the sanctioned sleepers were either misappropriated or never distributed at all. Adding to the confusion, Sameer Ahmed, a local forest guard, has reportedly stated that no sanction was ever issued for wood sleepers in this compartment, contradicting claims made by higher officials.
Residents fear that this could be a case of mismanagement or corruption within the Forest Department, with allegations pointing toward possible illegal logging and diversion of timber. Many are now demanding a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
“This is not just about wood; it’s about accountability. If sanctioned timber has been misused, the authorities must take strict action,” said a local resident, preferring to remain anonymous.
Activists and community leaders are now calling for an independent inquiry and have urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Forest Department’s vigilance wing to intervene. Locals are also considering filing an RTI application to obtain official records of timber allocation and distribution.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in forest conservation and resource management in remote areas like Marwah. If these allegations hold, it could expose a larger issue of timber smuggling and corruption within the region’s forestry sector.
As the controversy unfolds, the people of Marwah await a response from the authorities, hoping for transparency and accountability in the matter(DD)