Chitralis on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the growing deforestation in valley Domail, Chitral, demanding for taking stern action against the timber mafia rapidly emerged in the area. The protest was led by head of Domail Welfare Society Asmatullah Domaili, Abdullah Jan, Mohammad Afzal, Hazrat Baig along with scores of residents of Chitrali. The participants were holding placards and banners inscribed slogans against the growing cutting of trees in the valley Domail. The participants demanded of the government to take strict action against the timber mafia, to control the illegal practice in the area.
The protesters told the reporters that residents have time and again raise issue with the officials of forest department but they were not taken any action yet against the involved people. They alleged that the corrupt officials of forest department and timber mafia were indulged in illegal practice, to mint commission.
Despite the directives of high officials of the forest department, they informed that the concerned forest officers in Chitral were not taken action against the timber mafia, while supporting them. "A huge quantity of timber was being smuggled in night hours, to save the corrupt forest officers from legal action, they viewed, added the local people deceiving them by ensuring all the time to take action against the timber mafia.
The protesters said that the illegal smuggling cause huge losses to national exchequer, which need to be ended as earliest. They informed that a bulk of timber is being gathered in the valley for smuggling, demanding of the government to immediate seize the huge stock and sell out through corporation to provide due right to local people.
They also demanded the KP Minister for Forest, Chief Conservator and other concerned officials to take immediate action against the timber mafia to stop illegal practice in the valley. He also appealed Chief Justice Peshawar High Court to take suo muto notice of smuggling of timber in Chitral.