||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh June 19,2024 ||

Jammu:Political leader Harsh Dev Singh has raised serious allegations against the Forest Department in Jammu & Kashmir, accusing officials of negligence and possible complicity in the increasing number of forest fires. Singh suggests that these fires might be intentionally set to conceal illegal activities within the forests, including collusion with the so-called “jungle mafia.”

Allegations and Concerns

Claims of Collusion with Jungle Mafia

Harsh Dev Singh has accused forest officials of being in cahoots with a jungle mafia involved in illegal logging and smuggling of valuable trees like deodar. He claimed that the mafia, in collaboration with corrupt officials, is looting the region’s “green gold.” Singh alleged that he has provided officials with photographic evidence of illegal tree cutting and large stocks of wooden logs held by smugglers, but no action has been taken so far.

Negligence in Fire Incidents:Singh criticized the Forest Department for their lackadaisical approach towards forest fires, which continue to devastate large areas. He noted that while the department restricts villagers from accessing the forests to prevent fires, they fail to respond promptly when fires do occur. Senior officers, he claimed, remain in their offices and do not attend to calls during emergencies, resulting in unchecked destruction.

Impact on Wildlife: Devastating Losses

The forest fires have led to significant loss of wildlife, including the roasting of birds and animals. Singh highlighted the impact on the national bird, the peacock, which has suffered heavy losses due to the fires. He questioned the measures in place to protect wildlife and prevent such incidents from recurring.

Silence from Wildlife Authorities: Singh’s expressed frustration over the silence from wildlife authorities and the lack of detailed reports on the loss of animal and bird lives. He demanded transparency and accountability, urging for detailed assessments of the damage and concrete steps to safeguard the remaining wildlife.

Call for Accountability and Action

Demand for an Inquiry Commission: Singh called for the establishment of a commission to investigate the forest fires and the alleged complicity of forest officials with the jungle mafia. He stressed the need for stringent actions against those found guilty of negligence or corruption. He also called for an inquiry into how many such fencing permits have been issued by the Forest Department and the reasons behind the inaction on reported illegal activities.

Political Leaders’ Silence

Harsh Dev Singh also criticized senior political leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and ex-Forest Minister Mian Altaf for their silence on this critical issue. He expressed disappointment that these leaders, including Mian Altaf who is now an elected MP, have not spoken out or taken action to address the forest fire crisis.

Government’s Responsibility

Accountability from the LG Administration

Singh demanded answers from the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, questioning who is responsible for the loss of the region’s green gold. He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further destruction and to safeguard the wildlife and forests of Jammu & Kashmir.

The allegations made by Harsh Dev Singh against the Forest Department highlight a severe crisis in forest management and wildlife protection in Jammu & Kashmir. The growing number of forest fires, combined with the alleged negligence and corruption within the forest authorities, calls for urgent attention and action from both the government and political leaders. As the region grapples with this environmental and administrative challenge, the demand for accountability and effective measures becomes increasingly critical.