Handwara, Sep 18:
In a crackdown on timber smuggling, the Forest Protection Force (FPF) Handwara in North Kashmir seized illicit timber from a Band Saw Mill in Kulangam area of Kupwara district, leading to the suspension of two forest department employees including a Block Forest Officer.
Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that a special team of the Forest Protection Force conducted an operation during the intervening night of September 17 and 18. The raid was supervised by Deputy Director FPF Manzoor Ahmad and Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara Manmeet Singh.
During the operation, the team intercepted a consignment of illegal timber stored in the saw mill. In total, six logs of Deodar timber measuring 59 cubic feet were seized. The timber, which lacked legal transportation or felling permissions, is believed to have originated from Nowgam Block in Mawar forest area.
Authorities said the timber was recovered in a Band Saw Mill that had been clandestinely set up to process illicit forest produce. The entire stock has been taken into custody for further investigation to ascertain the broader network behind the smuggling.
Following the seizure, the Forest Department issued a suspension order against two of its employees for dereliction of duty. Those suspended include Block Forest Officer Najam Saqib, and Forest Guard Abdul Majeed, who were attached at Range Kandi of Kamraj Forest Division. The order was issued under number 149 of 2025 FD/CFM/Estt/2025/15 51-55.
An official from the Forest Protection Force said the action reflects the department’s firm resolve to safeguard forest resources and curb illegal logging. “The protection of green cover is a collective responsibility, and our teams are working day and night to check the menace of timber smuggling,” he stated.
Locals in the area expressed support for the action and urged authorities to maintain strict vigilance, pointing out that illegal timber trade continues to pose a serious threat to Kupwara’s forest wealth.
The Forest Department has appealed to the public to share information regarding any suspicious activities involving forest products, assuring that strict action will follow against those indulging in timber smuggling. [KNT]