PESHAWAR: Residents of Damel valley in Lower Chitral held a protest demonstration here against what they said ongoing large-scale illegal logging in their area.
They said the activity was allegedly being carried out with the connivance of corrupt forest officials and influential timber mafias. According to the participants of the protest held under Damel Welfare Society, forest resources worth millions of rupees were being plundered openly. There is no fear of accountability or intervention from the authorities.
The demonstrators demanded immediate and decisive action from the government. They condemned the silence and inaction of the forest department. Several officials were accused of directly facilitating the illegal timber trade.
In a statement after the protest, the society said repeated complaints had been made. Ample evidence was also provided. Yet no substantial action has been taken against those responsible. Loaded timber trucks continue to leave the valley every day. Forest officers either ignore the situation or are allegedly involved. Locals argued that such exploitation was impossible without the department’s support.
“It is extremely disappointing that even after notifying the chief conservator, nothing has happened,” the statement read.
“Senior authorities were informed. Still, no action has been taken. The provincial government and forest department remain silent. This silence has given a free hand to the timber mafia.”
The statement also warned of serious environmental consequences. Unchecked deforestation could increase the risk of floods and natural disasters. The region is already vulnerable to such climate impacts.
The Damel Welfare Society has called for the immediate suspension of officials involved. They demanded strict disciplinary action as well. The society appealed to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief secretary and relevant institutions to intervene without delay. The culprits must be brought to justice. “If prompt action is not taken, the people of Damel will suffer,” the statement concluded. “Future generations will bear the irreparable loss of this destruction.”
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