KATHUA, MAY 13: Forest Department has intensified enforcement operations across Kathua Forest Division under its special drive against the illegal smuggling of timber and firewood outside the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
In a major action during the early hours of May 13, a joint team of Kathua Range and APCP Lakhanpur Range seized a firewood loaded truck (JK19-3512} near Maggar Khad area of Kathua. The Firewood Truck was heading towards Punjab.
The seizure was carried out by a joint forest team comprising Range Officer Kathua, Neetan Khajuria; Range Officer APCP Lakhanpur and other field staff of the twin ranges. The operation was conducted under the guidance and close supervision of Divisional Forest Officer Ankit Sinha.
The Forest Department has stepped up its enforcement activities to check illegal extraction and transportation of forest produce and has achieved significant success in recent days. On May 10, five trucks carrying illicit firewood were seized by the department. Similarly, two trucks loaded with illicit firewood were seized on May 8, while one truck was seized on May 7 while attempting to transport the illegal material towards Punjab.