Field verification report debunks mass felling of trees in Tangmarg forests: Officials

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 24 (STC): Reacting to a viral video that had sparked concerns over large-scale forest damage in in the Drung–Dhanwas area of Tangmarg, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department issued a clarification that no mass felling of trees occurred,
Field verification by a Forest Department team confirmed that only a single Fir tree was recently felled by smugglers, who converted it into planks on the spot, reads the official statement and added that the debarked logs and scattered wood chips gave the impression of extensive tree felling.
“The two nearby stumps seen in the video were decades old and unrelated to the recent incident,” the statement said.
The Forest Department said prompt action was taken against the smugglers, and the illicit timber was recovered. Legal proceedings against the offenders are currently underway.

(Straight Talk Communications)