FIR registered after 50-ft deodar tree found felled inside school premises in Shopian

Shopian, Aug 31: Police have registered a case after a massive deodar tree, measuring nearly 50 feet in length, was found chopped and lying flat inside the premises of Government Middle School Padpavan in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of police station Herpora, barely 100 metres away from the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).

Officials said that unknown persons used cutters and saws to fell the mighty tree during the night. The brazen act has raised serious concerns, as the spot falls under direct watch of the forest authorities.

A senior forest official confirmed the incident, saying that they immediately approached police and an FIR vide number 44/2025 has been registered at police station Herpora. He added that investigations have been set in motion.

Locals, however, expressed strong resentment over what they termed as the "open loot of green gold" in the district. They alleged that this was not an isolated incident, pointing out that several such cases of illegal felling have been reported in Shopian in recent months. Locals also accused forest employees, contractors, and timber smugglers of running a nexus, allowing the plunder of forests to continue unabated.

Police have assured that those involved will be identified and brought to book. [KNT]