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ASADABAD (SW) – The rages of war in the past many decades deprived Kunar province of up to 40 per cent of its forest cover that once stretched to some 300, 000 hectors.
Though, officials claim to have put an end to the forests cutting, however, documents obtained by Salam Watandar indicate illegal logging and smuggling of timber is underway in the Badel valley of Narang district of the province. The list of people involved in it provided by the locals indicate many government officials are complicit.
Three such residents of the valley, Qari Wadan, Qadir and Zahid Khan, said these forests are an asset for them, and the local tribes have been safeguarding them. However, they lamented Daesh militants, influential local figures and government officials began illegal logging here four months ago. They informed SW the Daesh rebels have set up twenty self-styled check posts to safeguard the illegal logging.
The locals also shared a list of the alleged government officials involved in the illegal logging. There are names of 22 officials blamed for illegal logging and providing financial support for it.
Among those charged for this crime include Syed Ahmad Madadzay, provincial director telecommunication and information technology. Madadadzay has, however, rejected the allegations. The provincial director telecommunication and information technology said he cannot travel to such restive areas, and the allegations levelled against him are part of a conspiracy.
The locals are also charging the officials for turning a blind eye to the rampant illegal logging in Badel valley.
Commenting on this, deputy governor, Gul Mohammad Bedar, said he cannot discard the illegal logging in Badel and involvement of some officials. He said legal institutions have been asked to look into allegations about involvement of certain officials in this regard. He also vowed soon a clean-up operation would be launched against the Daesh rebels in the area.
This restive part of the country was long under the clout of the Taliban, however, now the Daesh rebels are in control here.
According to the directorate for agriculture, irrigation and livestock, illegal logging is also underway in Narang, Asmar and Chapa Dara districts of Kunar. The illegal logging of these forests are considered to be a vital source of income for the rebels.
ENDS
