Kupwara, Apr, 09: Illegal felling of forest trees by alleged jungle smugglers has been reported from Compartment No. 20 of Forest Division Kupwara, covering the areas of Kandi, Takibal, and Hoarn villages in Kupwara district.
The incident has sparked concern among local residents and environmental observers, who have expressed alarm over the continued degradation of forest resources in the area.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) remained unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp communications went unanswered, which was termed as unfortunate and disappointing. (HT-NEWSNETWORK)
However, a local forest officer confirmed that an FIR bearing No. 0063 under Section 303(2)/26 of the Forest Act was registered on April 08, 2026, against two identified smugglers involved in the illegal activity. The officer further stated that a forest guard has been attached to the Range Office for the past five days in connection with the case.
Authorities have initiated an investigation, and strict action is expected against the accused smugglers as well as any forest officials found involved or negligent in the matter.
The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced vigilance, accountability, and coordinated efforts to safeguard the fragile forest ecosystem of Kupwara.
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