Huge quantity of smuggled timber seized in Sonamarg

Ganderbal, May 22: The Forest Department and Forest Protection Force have seized huge quantities of illicit chinar and Deodar timber from Sonamarg area in Ganderbal district.

Assistant Director FPF Ganderbal Mohammad Yousuf said that on specific information about timber smuggling, a team from the Jammu and Kashmir forest department and forest protection force posted at forest check post Sonamarg late Wednesday evening intercepted a truck near forest check post Sonamarg and during search huge quantity of chinar timber being illegally transported was recovered and seized.

" During an intervening night of May 21-22, the joint party of the Forest Protection Force (FPF) and forest officials of the Sonamarg check post seized a truck bearing registration number JK22A/9623 at 10:30 p.m. loaded with illicit Chinar and deodar timber. The seizure was led by the Assistant Director of Forest Protection Force, Sindh Range, and forester Kullan under the supervision of Deputy Director FPF and DFO Sindh range. The truck loaded with illicit Chinar and deodar timber was carted down to the Seizure Depot, Beehama, Ganderbal, through Form 25 for safe custody" the officials said.

Further investigations have been taken up.