Neyaz Elahi
Ganderbal, July 15, KNT: At a time when jungle smugglers are active like nocturnal beasts, authorities have posted a single employee to take care of forest wealth spreading over 60 kilometers here in Gagangeer area that falls under the jurisdiction of Sindh Forest Division in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Sources told news agency KNT that three employees were posted with a mandate to take care of forest wealth from Gagangeer to Zero Point, a vast area of 60 kilometers. Out of three, two employees have been sent on Yatra duty at Baltal while a single employee has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the affairs.
Insiders said that it is dead impossible for a single employee to manage the affairs and take care of forest wealth. “Whether this employee will perform his duty at the check posts or he will roam from one area to another looking for jungle smugglers. This is a big joke which amply makes it clear that people at the helm of affairs are not taking the job seriously.”
Before the commencement of Amarnath Yatra, two employees were sent for Yatra duty and both these employees are sitting idle at Baltal. At least, authorities should depute a group of employees who could manage the affairs from Gagangeer to Zero Point.
Divisional Forest Officer Mir Owais was not available for the comments. (KNT
