Four vehicles carrying fuelwood without permit seized in Nurpur

The Forest Department’s field staff under the Rey range of the Nurpur forest division seized four pickup jeeps carrying fuelwood without permit at a naka in Sthana in the Fatehpur Assembly constituency early this morning.

Following a tip-off, a team of the Forest Department had set up the naka last night. The team stopped a jeep loaded with fuelwood at around 4.30 am and found it transporting mango tree wood to the Punjab area without requisite transit permit.

As per information, the firewood transporter on getting the information about the Forest Department’s action stopped three other jeeps loaded with fuelwood near Jageer, much ahead of the naka. The department team intercepted the vehicles and took these in custody. All four vehicles are in the custody of the Forest Range Office and further investigation is on.

It is alleged that in the absence of a regular check along the Himachal-Punjab border, fuelwood and timber are being smuggled into the neighbouring state. Locals have demanded a check on forest mafia in the inter-state border areas in the Nurpur Forest Division.

Nurpur Forest Divisional Officer Amit Sharma said the department would demarcate the land from where the trees were felled.

“If the land is found to be of a private owner, fine to the tune of Rs 20,000 for each loaded vehicle will be imposed and if turns out to be forest land the accused will be booked under theft and Indian Forests Act. In that case, impounded vehicles will be released by the judicial court,” he said.