Forest dept fires 27 employees for illegal deforestation in Gilgit

GILGIT: The Forest, Parks, Wildlife, and Environment Department of Gilgit-Baltistan has fired 27 contract and project employees for their failure to stop the illegal transportation of timber in the Chakrakot area of Jaglot, Gilgit.

According to a statement issued by the forest department, following a thorough investigation supervised by the Chief Conservator of Forests Gilgit Circle and the Divisional Forest Officer, six project staff and 21 contingent staff have been dismissed. Additionally, 10 regular guards and seven forest guards have been suspended under the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Services Act of 2011, pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The statement mentioned that despite efforts to curb it, illegal logging has persisted in various areas of Chakrakot over time. Although there was some reduction in illegal timber harvesting after the seizure of unauthorized wood in 2016 and the amendment to the Forest Act in 2020, it has recently become a significant concern again, prompting government action.

In response to these developments, the chief secretary, acting on the directives of the G-B government, had instructed to take action against all individuals involved in illegal wood logging in Chakrakot, especially those who have held positions within the forest department for the past three years.

The statement mentioned that the forest department is now actively pursuing legal action against the accused in order to uncover the extent of their involvement and to hold them accountable for their actions.