TAXILA: Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Thursday took notice of rampant deforestation in Qoulyar forest

area near Fatehjang and ordered the district administration and forest department to take legal action against the timber mafia besides registration of cases against elements involved in mass cutting of trees on state land.

Officials of the local administration told this reporter that the forest department, environment department as well as the local administration were unaware of the deforestation.

The PTI government launched a 10 billion tree national plantation drive to counter the effects of climate change and impede global warming.

However, the local timber mafia in alleged convenience with some officials of the local administration chopped valuable species of trees in the home district of the prime minister’s aide.

On public complaints, Mr Aslam along with Deputy Commissioner Ali Annan Qammar and officials of the local administration, forest department, revenue department and environment protection department visited the site and found relentless chopping of trees.

The revenue officials confirmed that the forest area spreading over 3,100 canals was state land and the timber mafia had uprooted the trees.

Mr Aslam directed the deputy commissioner to conduct an inquiry on urgent basis and register criminal cases against the culprits.

He also directed the forest department to take measures for the protection of forest areas.

When contacted, the deputy commissioner confirmed that the district administration officers in the presence of the PM’s aide visited the area and found that timber mafia was busy in the illegal activity in the area from the last few months.

He said the illegal activity has been halted and legal action initiated against the culprits. He said the demarcation of land with the assistance of the concerned revenue staff would also be carried out.

Talking to this reporter, Mr Aslam said on getting information about the illegal activity, he visited the area and found rampant deforestation.

He said the piece of land where trees were chopped is “surrendered land” under the 1970 land reforms.

He said as per the revenue record, the provincial government has ownership rights, however, local land mafia in connivance with timber mafia was involved in illegal trade of timber.

Responding to a question, he said the deputy commissioner has been directed to give administrative control of the land to the forest department.

He said the provincial government would be directed to devise a policy under which surrendered land would be given under the administrative control of the forest department for tree plantation as well as saving the environment.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2021