Inquiry ordered into alleged Illegal Timber Mismanagement in Kishtwar’s Marwah
Imran Shah
Kishtwar, (DD) The controversy surrounding alleged illegal deforestation and timber mismanagement in Marwah Division, Kishtwar, has taken a new turn as authorities have ordered an official inquiry into the matter.
The allegations, centered around discrepancies in the distribution of sanctioned wood sleepers in Compartment No. 39A, have sparked widespread concerns among locals. While residents claim they never received the wood allotted to them, officials had earlier maintained that the distribution was conducted as per records.
Following public outrage and demands for accountability, the Forest Department has now initiated an internal probe to verify the claims. A senior official confirmed that a fact-finding committee has been constituted to investigate whether the timber was misappropriated or illegally diverted.
“We have taken the allegations seriously. A team has been tasked with verifying the records and conducting ground inspections. Strict action will follow if any wrongdoing is found,” the official stated.
The inquiry announcement comes after a local forest guard, Sameer Ahmed, reportedly denied the existence of any sanction for timber distribution in the compartment, contradicting claims made by senior officials. This has raised further suspicions about possible corruption and illegal logging in the area.
Residents, however, remain skeptical and insist that the investigation be conducted transparently. “We want an independent probe with public oversight. If sanctioned wood has been misused, those responsible should face legal action,” said a local community member.
Activists and concerned citizens are also pressing for the involvement of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Forest Department’s vigilance wing to ensure a fair investigation. Some locals have already begun filing RTI applications to access official records on timber allocation and distribution.
The case has highlighted broader concerns about forest conservation and resource management in remote areas like Marwah. If the allegations prove true, it could expose deeper issues of timber smuggling and administrative negligence within the forestry sector.
As the inquiry progresses, the people of Marwah await further developments, hoping for transparency and accountability in the handling of the region’s valuable forest resources(DD)
