Shimla, July 17: Deodar forests, about 3 km from Jot pass in Chamba, are dotted with felled and impaled deodar trees and most of these have no bark. The method was adopted to dry the trees so that they can be felled later. A local said some persons were in the business of felling trees illegally. If the trees dry, it is easier for them to fell these with the permission of forest authorities.
Chamba DFO Sanjeev Sharma said three trees had felled in the Jot forest area last year with the permission of the department. When asked about the impaling trees, the DFO said some people might try to take out cedar oil from deodars. It was an illegal practice and he would go to the area and check any illegal activity, he said Chamba district has been infamous for illegal felling of trees for the last five years.
The issue even rocked the Himachal Assembly with the Opposition even targeting the Minister for Forest Thakur Singh Bharmouri, who belongs to Bharmour, for aiding the forest mafia.Though a lot of hue and cry was raised, hardly any substantial action was taken against the accused.
Source Tribune India
