Storm leaves behind a timber windfall for villagers

DFO,Wild life,Sanjay Tiwari said,“Rs 60,000 has been recovered and now the next task is to find more ‘missing’ trees and also to raid the traders engaged in the sale and purchase of wood.”

He added,“In Zira,our men were even beaten by the villagers when they recovered the stolen wood from them. We have given police complaint in Zira police station regarding that but so far no action has taken place.”

Information revealed that though heavy winds along with rain took place on Saturday evening,but in the wee hours villagers reached in the forests along Hussainiwala,Zira- Makhu road and few more areas and they started picking the wood. Tiwari said,“We caught hold of four trolleys full of wood and one truck as well. But one trolley driver ran away and the rest were taken in custody. Fine has been deposited by three trolley owners and the owner of truck has still not come. Truck will also be confiscated if the owner fails to turn up. Apart from this we are searching for few more trolley owners who have run away along with wood.”

It needs to be mentioned that wood of eucalyptus is being sold in the range of Rs 200-Rs 250 per quintal to the wood merchants.